MoD urged to rethink plans to close Scots sites

defence: Brown has talks on future of bases including Rosyth and Condor

Veterans minister Keith Brown has urged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to reconsider planned site closures in Scotland after a meeting with UK Government counterparts in London.

It was announced last year that eight military sites in Scotland – including Fort George near Inverness, the Glencorse Barracks near Penicuik, Midlothian, and the Redford Cavalry and Infantry Barracks in Edinburgh – are among a number of sites to be closed across the UK over the next 15 years.

The Caledonia Naval base in Rosyth, Condor Airfield near Arbroath, Craigiehall Barracks in Edinburgh and Forthside Barracks in Stirling are also affected.

Mr Brown, who served in the armed forces, met UK defence minister Tobias Ellwood yesterday to discuss the impact of the planned closures.

Mr Brown said: “I’ve repeatedly expressed my deep concerns about the UK Government’s brutal cuts to defence bases in Scotland, as well as the total lack of engagement with the Scottish Government ahead of decisions being taken.

“These were the largest set of defence cuts made in Scotland and they will have a major impact on communities across the country.

“It is clear from my discussions with Tobias Ellwood today that nearly eight months on from those closures being announced, the Mi nistry of Defence still has no answers on what this means for personnel numbers, where units will go, or the economic impact of their proposals in Scotland.

“The rationale for these closures is very questionable and I urge the MoD to reconsider.”