more … ]]> Sir Menzies Campbell MP has expressed his “huge disappointment” that the “committed and passionate” campaign for the retention of RAF Leuchars was unsuccessful.

Sir Menzies said:

“The decision to close RAF Leuchars is a bitter blow for the local community which has, for almost a year, fought a committed and passionate campaign to keep this airbase open. I am hugely disappointed at this decision and still believe that the strategic case for its retention is overwhelming. There has not been a single argument, to my knowledge, that has ever contradicted this.

“The RAF has been in Leuchars for nearly a century. Over that time the military personnel stationed at Leuchars have been taken into the hearts of the people of Fife and become much valued members of our community. We are very proud of the airmen and women stationed here. The bravery and professionalism they have shown in conflicts stretching from the Falklands to Afghanistan has been exemplary. And, for their part, the Leuchars personnel have donated their time and energy to making Fife a better place for everyone to live.

“RAF Leuchars was never meant to close. It was not included in last October’s Strategic Defence Review and I understood that its future was secure. It was only later that it was dragged onto a list of bases being considered for closure, despite the best efforts of the RAF themselves.

“The day after the first media report highlighting a risk to the base was published we mobilised our campaign for retention. We set up a campaign website to attract online petition signatures and we went door to door, through the snow, collecting physical signatures. The box of many thousands of names with which we travelled to London to present to Number 10 Downing Street was described as “impressive document” by the Ministry of Defence and there is no doubt that they understood the strength of feeling locally.

“People from all walks of life have come together to fight to keep the base open. Teachers highlighted the benefits of the base on local services, business pointed out the millions that flowed into the community because of the base and I led politicians of all parties on the floor of the House of Commons in making the strategic defence case for the retention of the base.

“I am steadfast in my view that the decision to close RAF Leuchars has been made for the wrong reasons. This base is best placed to protect the skies above Glasgow and Edinburgh, to patrol important installations like Faslane and Torness, and to answer the call should the need arise to protect the population throughout the UK from a terrorist attack from the air in a manner synonymous with the events in the USA on September 11th 2001. Its closure will have a profound effect on the ability of the Government to protect its citizens.

“The Government has said that the army will instead be based at Leuchars. Our task now is to ensure they live up to that promise and we will be fighting tooth and nail for the cast iron commitment that is required to safeguard the prosperity of the local community.”

ENDS

more … ]]> North East Fife’s Member of Parliament Sir Menzies Campbell has described the decision announced by the Defence Secretary not to retain RAF Leuchars as “fundamentally wrong, strategically inept, and likely to increase the risk to our citizens”.

Speaking during the statement by the Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox on Defence Transformation, the Liberal Democrat MP also questioned whether the decision was taken against the advice of senior RAF commanders.

Sir Menzies said:

“I cannot support the decision not to retain Leuchars in my constituency as an RAF base because I believe it to be fundamentally wrong, strategically inept, and likely to increase the risk to our citizens.

“Can he confirm that his decision to discontinue Royal Air Force use at Leuchars was taken against the advice of senior commanders of the RAF?

“Finally, the proposals for use of Leuchars by Army lack dates, detail and substance. What cast iron guarantee can he give that these promises will be kept and the money for them found?”

more … ]]> In a special article, MP Sir Menzies Campbell tells The Courier why the UK Government should keep RAF Leuchars open.

Sometime this week it will be D-Day for RAF Leuchars.

Ever since Leuchars was unexpectedly included in the discussions about the future of the RAF bases in Scotland there has been a powerful and persuasive campaign for its retention.

Particular tribute must be paid to the local community, which has argued its case with good judgment and great energy. By this time next week we shall know if it has been successful. It most certainly should be because the case for retention is overwhelming.

All the indications are that the RAF, at every level, support retention because it recognises that Leuchars is in the right place at the right time, doing the right job, and should be allowed to continue doing so.

What is that job? It is to protect the people of the northern half of the United Kingdom from any danger from the air. It does so by maintaining aircraft ready at any time of the day or night to repel intruders into UK airspace and to protect us all from terrorist attacks.

Already 6 Squadron, equipped with Typhoon jets, is operating from Leuchars with professionalism and distinction. Millions have been spent in providing the necessary facilities, including the resurfacing of the runway.

Moving the Typhoon from Leuchars will impact not only on RAF personnel but their families as well. There are private sector contracts based in Fife that are essential to the Typhoon. They cannot be compelled to move.

Aircraft at Leuchars, in addition to protecting the population, are able to do the same for sensitive installations in Scotland such as Torness nuclear power station, the oil and gas operations at Grangemouth, and the nuclear submarine base at Faslane.

They are easily able to support operations elsewhere in the UK.

The strategic argument for Leuchars as a base to defend our air space is unchallengeable and no one has ever tried to do so.

Alternative use for Leuchars as a large army base does not stack up. It does not have easy access to necessary training areas and is relatively small.

The road network which surrounds it is inadequate and would require substantial investment and expansion.

Leuchars fits well not only with the local community but with nearby St Andrews. Large scale army deployment would turn St Andrews into a garrison town for which it is ill suited.

The first responsibility of any government is the proper protection of its citizens.

Typhoons are already keeping guard over the population of the northern part of the UK with the same professionalism and commitment that we have come to expect from the RAF.

The convenience of the army as it contemplates the return of so many troops from Germany or the understandable anxiety about the impact of other base closures elsewhere should not be used as a justification for meddling with the established and effective pattern of air defence in the UK.

If it isn’t broken why should we fix it?

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As the campaign to save RAF Leuchars nears its conclusion, Sir Menzies Campbell MP is “reassured” that the case for the retention of the base in his North East Fife constituency is being well considered by those at the heart of government.

David Cameron has written to Sir Menzies acknowledging the “succinct summary of a case for RAF Leuchars” made by the North East Fife MP recently to the Prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Secretary and Scottish Secretary.

In his letter, the Prime Minster said that, “it is not difficult to appreciate why the future of the base is a matter of real concern to you and your constituents. The association between Fife and RAF Leuchars is a longstanding one, and the people of Fife have supported the service people and their families based there over the course of many years. I know this support continues to be appreciated by all who are based there now.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the basing review is a complex piece of work and that is will conclude as swiftly as possible.

Mr Cameron added, “I hope that this response is helpful and reassures you that the points you have made are being taken into account. I am impressed by the remarkable level of support and affection felt by the local community towards the RAF in Fife, and I am grateful to you and those in the community for your constructive engagement with the Ministry of Defence, the Scotland Office and HM Treasury.”

Commenting on the letter, Sir Menzies said:

“The Prime Minister’s response to my letter setting out the defence case for RAF Leuchars is reassuring in that he clearly understands the points raised and also appreciates the level of concern surrounding the future of the base.

“The defence case for the base’s retention is overwhelming and I have yet to hear any argument to the contrary. RAF Leuchars has executed its Quick Reaction Alert responsibilities in an exemplary manner and is uniquely located to deter and defend against terrorist threats to “Tier One” risk installations. Nearly £50 million has been spent on upgrading it to a first class Eurofighter Typhoon operating base and it contributes more than £60 million a year into the local economy.

“Its loss would be detrimental to the defence of the UK and to the many communities with which it is interwoven. This is the message I have taken right to the heart of government on many occasions. Leuchars must be retained.”

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Figures released to North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell show that nearly £3million has been spent by the Ministry of Defence on Typhoon infrastructure at RAF Leuchars in the last seven months despite the base being threatened with closure.

The UK Government has confirmed that it spent £2.9million on redevelopment projects at RAF Leuchars since 1 November 2010.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said:

“These figures show that despite having the threat of closure hanging over it work at the base is very much continuing as normal.

“It has already been demonstrated beyond doubt that RAF Leuchars is in the ideal geographical position to fulfil its duty of policing and protecting northern British airspace. The significant investment which continues to be made in the base will ensure that it is perfectly equipped for this role. If the Government agrees with me that RAF Leuchars is in the right place, at the right time and doing the right job it needs to put its mouth where its money is and confirm that the RAF will stay in Fife.”

more … ]]> The strategic location of RAF Leuchars is vital in defending the UK’s airspace from attack and, in the event of an emergency, can be overhead “Tier One” risk targets such as Torness nuclear power station and Faslane nuclear submarine base in just a few minutes.

This is the message which North East Fife’s MP Sir Menzies Campbell has hammered home in a letter to the Defence Secretary Liam Fox.

As an announcement about the future of the Fife base draws closer, Sir Menzies has been taking every opportunity to make the case for its retention right to the heart of government.

In his letter Sir Menzies said:

“The strategic defence case for RAF Leuchars is overwhelming. Its proximity to more than 4 million people in Scotland and to highly sensitive installations such as Torness nuclear power station, Faslane nuclear submarine base and Grangemouth oil refinery is significant as it means fighter aircraft scrambled in the event of an emergency can be overhead and engaged with any target in a matter of a few minutes.

RAF Leuchars is within 80 miles of 80% of the Scottish population and minutes from sensitive "Tier One" risk targets.

“The National Security Strategy clearly states that the threat of an international terrorist attack on the UK is at the top of the identified risks. The Home Office has concluded that an attack is “highly likely”. The role of RAF Leuchars has therefore never been so important.

“Aircraft from RAF Leuchars have successfully intercepted Russian aircraft probing our air defences on more than 50 occasions since 2005. Leuchars is also capable of intercepting non-military aircraft, whether hijacked or not, which may pose a more immediate threat.

“Leuchars is not only uniquely situated, it acts as a deterrent due to its location. Its flying and weather conditions are optimal for operations and together with the exemplary professionalism of the base personnel make it the ideal for the deployment of QRA.

“It is in the right place, at the right time, doing the right job. The reasons for providing air defence for the northern half of the United Kingdom are the same today as they were when it was first given this role. Closure would increase the risk to our citizens.”

more … ]]> Speaking amid unconfirmed reports that the Ministry of Defence is seeking further savings from the Armed Forces next year, senior Liberal Democrat MP and member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Sir Menzies Campbell said:

“If these reports are true they will make grim reading for our Armed Forces. By a remarkable irony, they have emerged on the same day as the Defence Secretary is announcing better terms and conditions for those who serve in the military.

“The best possible provision in a new military covenant would surely be certainty of continuing employment.”

more … ]]> Senior Liberal Democrat MP Sir Menzies Campbell has dismissed the latest bout of “speculation” about the future of RAF Leuchars in his North East Fife constituency and has been assured by Ministers that no decision is imminent.

Sir Menzies said:

“The debate about RAF Leuchars has been characterised too often by speculation which has subsequently proved to be totally without foundation.

“I have spoken to Ministers in the relevant departments. I have been assured that no announcement is imminent and that when it is made the decision will be by Ministers alone and not officials in the Ministry of Defence or senior military commanders.

“Rumours of this kind will not deflect in any way the continuing campaign for the retention of RAF Leuchars.”

more … ]]> North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell, Iain Smith MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott met with the Minister for the Armed Forces Nick Harvey at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon to put forward the strong case for the retention of RAF Leuchars as the home of northern Britain’s Quick Reaction Alert Eurofighters.

Speaking after the meeting Sir Menzies Campbell said:

“This was a free and frank exchange. We emphasised the strategic case for Leuchars as we have done throughout the debate on the future of RAF bases in Scotland. The Minister and his officials emphasised that not-withstanding speculation to the contrary, no decisions have yet been taken. I particularly drew the Ministers attention to the vital role fulfilled by RAF leuchars in the air defence of northern Britain.

“I also emphasised that the strategic arguments which resulted in Leuchars being assigned as a base for the Eurofighter Typhoon has never been challenged.”

Iain Smith MSP said:

“I am encouraged by today’s constructive meeting with the Minister for the Armed Forces. He listened carefully to the strong case put forward for the retention of RAF Leuchars and while he stressed that no decisions have been made it is clear that the fate of the base is by no means sealed. We will not rest in our campaign to keep it open.”

ENDS

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The campaign for the retention of RAF Leuchars heads to London today as Sir Menzies Campbell MP, North East Fife MSP Iain Smith and Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott MSP meet with Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey at the Ministry of Defence.

Speaking ahead of the meeting this afternoon Sir Menzies said:

“The object of this meeting with the Armed Forces Minister is two-fold. Firstly to emphasise the strategic case for Leuchars and to point out that the factors which determined that Leuchars should have the responsibility for the air defence of northern Britain remain exactly the same today as they did when the base was chosen as the home for the three Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons. I have yet to hear any strategic justification for taking that responsibility away from Leuchars.

“Second, to emphasise the close integration between the base and the surrounding community economically, educationally and socially.

“I will also take the opportunity to point out that in addition to the Typhoon squadron, Leuchars is a centre of defence excellence for other assets such as the RAF Regiment, soon to be deployed to Afghanistan and 71 TA Engineer Regiment, members of which have served abroad on many occasions in the past.”

Iain Smith MSP said:

“The importance of RAF Leuchars is in no way restricted to its irrefutable strategic defence significance. It is woven into the fabric of North East Fife and its surrounding communities by way of pupils for local schools, consumers of services and businesses, and not least as an economic driver for Fife and Tayside.

“While the defence case for its retention alone is compelling and overwhelming, the ramifications of closure would be devastating to the area.

“RAF Leuchars is far more than just a military base, it is central to this community.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP said:

“I’m going to London to make the case for RAF Leuchars direct to the UK Government. I travelled to Lossiemouth to speak at the rally against closing their RAF base and now I want to make the case for RAF Leuchars

“All parties came together with the Scottish Government to make a joint submission to the UK’s Defence Review. In it, we made clear our opposition to the closure of Scottish bases.

“I will set out the impact that closing this base would have on Fife and the surrounding area. It shouldn’t be a case of either Moray or Leuchars. Both play important roles in the UK’s defence and both should remain open.”