Sir Menzies Campbell MP has branded claims by the Labour party that all three Scottish RAF bases could close as a result of the Strategic Defence Review as “naïve and damaging scaremongering”.
The speculative comments from one Scottish Labour MP and two of their MSPs came after reading an article about potential future MOD budget cuts.
Sir Menzies said:
“This type of scaremongering from the Labour party is naïve and damaging.
“All political parties committed themselves to a full scale strategic defence review following the General Election. For Labour now to complain about the nature of the current review is curious to say the least.
“Labour MPs would be better advised to concentrate on why their government failed to provide proper equipment support for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and presided over damaging shortages of helicopters in both operations.
“I have consistently supported RAF Leuchars during the 23 years I have been an MP and am a regular visitor to the base.
“Leuchars is a vital component of the air defences of the United Kingdom and provides the 24 hour stand by aircraft known as the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) which protects Britain’s airspace from intruders. The QRA has been much busier recently in tracking Russian aircraft probing our air defences.
“The case for RAF Leuchars is overwhelming, not least because it is due to take delivery within a few weeks of the first of the Eurofighter aircraft which will make up three squadrons at the base. In addition there are units of the RAF regiment and the Territorial Army deployed at Leuchars.
“Leuchars is central to Britain’s defence.â€
