The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Shots fired in battle for future of RM Condor
ARBROATH: Conservative MP Kirstene Hair accused of ‘volte-face’ after launching petition to retain Commando base
Angus politicians are engaged in a fresh war of words over the future of the 45 Commando base on the outskirts of Arbroath.
The salvos have been fired after Angus Conservative MP Kirstene Hair launched a petition seeking support to “retain and strengthen” the Royal Marines facility.
Former airfield land at Condor could be developed for housing under the Tayside Cities Deal in a project generating as many as 2,500 new homes.
Ms Hair has been accused of a “complete volte-face” over Condor’s future by Angus South SNP MSP Graeme Dey, with whom she clashed earlier this year. She claimed he was “scaremongering” with suggestions the land disposal could undermine the base.
Mr Dey hit back at Ms Hair, saying: “Just a few short months ago she was condemning myself for questioning the long-term commitment of the UK Government to the base.
“Now she is seeking support for a petition directed at her own government which raises the very same concerns.”
A furious war of words has broken out over a petition launched to safeguard the future of Condor military base.
The row erupted after it emerged Angus Conservative MP Kirstene Hair is collecting signatures to “retain and strengthen” RM Condor in Arbroath.
When the possible disposal of a large tract of land at RM Condor was first mooted in February, Angus South SNP MSP Graeme Dey expressed fears this might undermine the future of 45 Commando Royal Marines at Condor.
Ms Hair accused Mr Dey at the time of causing “unnecessary distress” with his “scaremongering”.
He expressed surprise when it emerged Ms Hair has launched the petition to ‘keep RM Condor open’.
“Ms Hair really does need to explain to the people of Angus what has prompted this apparent complete volteface on her part over the future of RM Condor,” said Mr Dey.
“Just a few short months ago she was condemning myself and other SNP politicians for questioning the long term commitment of the UK Government to the base.
“Now she is seeking support for a petition directed at her own government which raises the very same concerns.”
The Ministry of Defence published its Better Defence Estate strategy in 2016, which outlined disposal of the former airfield at Arbroath by 2020 as part of a drive to optimise land use by the armed forces.
It is hoped land at the base is to be developed as part of the Tay Cities Deal for housing which Mr Dey said “does greatly reduce the base footprint and in so doing raise concerns over the operational capacity of 45 Commando”.
He added: “Scotland and Angus need clarity on whether the MoD intends to relocate these facilities on what remains of Condor and if they don’t then what does that mean for the Marines?”
Ms Hair’s petition is calling on the UK Government to “retain and strengthen the base” and will be available to sign in Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose. She said: “People in Angus will be bewildered by this intervention by Mr Dey.
“From my election campaign to the present day, I have always outlined the importance of RM Condor and this petition allows local people to also voice their support.
“Having visited the base on many occasions, as well as welcoming the defence secretary to Angus, and asking questions in the House, the UK Government are well aware of my views on the long term future of the base.
“Perhaps Mr Dey should focus on the issues he can affect in Angus, such as halting the centralisation of healthcare, looking into the number of cancelled operations and cutting waiting lists to see healthcare professionals.
“Unfortunately the SNP are only concerned about scaremongering for a headline instead of trying to make a difference in their local area.”
Ms Hair recently asked Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to commit to RM Condor’s status as an “integral part” of the country’s defence estate.