Axing Scots battalions ‘would boost SNP hand’

MINISTERS have been warned not to “boost independence” by cutting two Scottish infantry battalions after it was revealed that the Royal Regiment of Scotland has the worst recruitment record in the army.

Official figures released by the Ministry of Defence in a written parliamentary answer show that the Highlanders, 4th Scots, is almost 25 per cent down on its full complement, making it the worst recruiter in the army.

Meanwhile the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, which it is understood will either be merged with the Black Watch or turned into a Territorial Army unit, is fourth worst with a shortfall of 16.3 per cent. Seventh in the list is 2 Scots, the Highland Fusiliers, with a shortfall of 15.2 per cent.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is under pressure from English Tory MPs to cut two Scottish units in the five infantry battalions set for the chop and has already said recruitment will be a determining factor.

Patrick Mercer, a Tory MP and former commanding officer of an English regiment, said: “The secretary of state said quite clearly that a battalion’s survival will rest upon their ability to recruit and the numbers of foreign and Commonwealth soldiers in their ranks so this must mean a number of Scottish battalions are vulnerable.

“I also trust that well-recruited English battalions will survive.”

But Clive Fairweather, a former SAS commander, said: “Given that there is to be a referendum it would be lunacy to cut two Scottish battalions. I think it was on the cards at one point but the MoD knows it will play into the SNP’s hands.”

SNP Westminster leader and defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said: “There is only one way to protect our historic Scottish regiments and that is for the decisions to be made in an independent Scotland”