The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Battle to delay MoD’s barracks decision
Moray MP Angus Robertson will demand that defence chiefs delay any decision on the future of Kin loss Bar racks when parliament resumes next month.
The Ministry of Defence has earmarked the Moray base for closure as part of a massive spending review which aims to make savings of £1billion.
It is expected that an announcement on whether the barracks will be shut could be made during the first half of September.
But Mr Robertson has confirmed he will press the UK government to postpone any such move when parliamentary recess ends and he returns to Westminster on Monday, September 5.
The politician has backed the Moray Economic Partnership’s campaign for a local consultation to be carried out, prior to any decisions being made.
Mr Robertson said: “It is inconceivable that the UK government would make any decision on the partial or full closure of Kinloss Barracks while parliament is in recess, so the nearest point any announcement could be expected would be early September.
“I will be pressing the MoD to make an early statement in the House of Commons as soon as I can.
“The MoD gave commitments to the local authority there would be consultations with the local community before a decision was reached.
“I plan to seek assurances that it will fulfil those commitments.”