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Angus Robertson urged to apologise for “whipping up rumours” about Kinloss closure

Concerns had been raised that Kinloss could close
Concerns had been raised that Kinloss could close

Angus Robertson has been told to apologise for “whipping up rumours” about a possible closure of RAF Kinloss.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed yesterday that the base would not close, despite swingeing cuts elsewhere in Scotland.

Moray MP Mr Robertson had suggested Kinloss could be on a hit list of bases to mothballed as part of the review.

Last night Tory Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross accused the SNP deputy leader of scaremongering.

Mr Robertson said he would make “no apology” for being “extremely sceptical” about the Tories’ approach to defence.

But Mr Ross said: “People have understandably been worried, but the only person whipping up rumours was Angus Robertson – because while the UK Government was going through a proper process that’s delivered the right answer, he saw the chance for a few cheap headlines.

“He assured local people he had an impeccable source that said the Army were to be removed and the base closed.

“Local people were worried and a task force was set up, but this could have all been avoided had it not been for the Moray MP’s attempts to make political capital where there was none.”

Mr Robertson, who is also the SNP’s leader in Westminster, said the uncertainty surrounding the base was “created by the UK Tory Government’s decision to slash its military footprint”.

He pointed to the scrapping of a new order of Nimrod aircraft as evidence of the Conservative’s “short memory” on defence matters.

The Moray MP added: “Had a decision been made to close Kinloss and we had made no effort to prevent that, despite knowing those facts, then that would have been irresponsible.

“The Conservatives have a short memory, as they seem to have forgotten the decision to scrap the Nimrods, which was made with no notice whatsoever and has since been roundly condemned.

“I make no apology for being extremely sceptical about the Tory’s approach to defence decisions and no apology for putting pressure on the government to keep Kinloss Barracks in my Moray Constituency open.”