Urgent plea to defence chiefs over future of Black Watch

DEFENCE chiefs have been urged to provide swift reassurance about the future of the Black Watch battalion, following reports that it may be axed.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross yesterday demanded clarification on the future of the unit, which is based at Fort George, Inverness-shire.

The SNP said dismantling t he Black Watch would be a ‘betrayal’ of veterans.

The heightened concern follows newspaper reports that the battalion could be under threat as part of a fresh round of cuts.

Defence chiefs plan to shed up to 18,000 troops in the wake of swingeing 50 per cent budget cuts by the UK Government. According to the reports, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who served in the Scots Guards, has been told the Army

‘Scottish and British institution’

can no longer justify its 30 infantry battalions.

The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, was spared in the previous round of cuts but, alongside sister battalions the Highlanders and the Royal Highland Fusiliers, it has struggled to fill its ranks since 2012.

A Ministry of Defence insider told The Sun: ‘It makes sense for the battalions which are most understrength to be rolled into each other.’

But Mr Ross said the Black Watch was ‘a Scottish and British institution that continues to play a vital role in our armed services’.

He said speculation about the battalion was ‘deeply unhelpful’, adding: ‘I’m urgently seeking reassurances from the Ministry of Defence that this battalion will not be disbanded.’

A spokesman for the MoD said the Government ‘has committed to grow defence spending’ and ‘will provide an update in due course’.