RAF’s red tape ‘could push fireman on dole’

THE father of a Moray serviceman has accused the MoD of forcing his son into the dole queue.

Ed Sweeney said his son, an RAF fireman, would end up “another unemployment statistic” if he is not allowed to terminate his contract early.

Senior aircraftman Dominic Sweeney, who has completed tours of the Falkland Islands and Afghanistan, was based at RAF Kinloss for five years, before it became Kinloss Barracks in July. He has since been working at RAF Lossiemouth. After handing in his year’s notice in May, he beat more than 1,000 applicants to be offered a job with the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, due to start at the end of this month.

He asked the RAF if he could be released eight months early to take up the sought-after position – but the request was refused.

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