Moray’s political and economic leaders have restated their commitment to keep fighting for the Kinloss Army Barracks until the UK Government confirms it is not under threat.
Fears were raised last month that the base was being considered for closure as part of a massive Ministry of Defence cost-cutting exercise.
Military chiefs maintain that all of its assets remain on the table as part of the review, and that no decisions over the future of the Kinloss Army Barracks or Fort George at Inverness have so far been made.
However, Scottish Secretary David Mundell has indicated that Moray’s home of the 39 Engineer Regiment is more likely to continue than the historic Highlands garrison.
Mr Mundell also claimed he couldn’t see the basis for any speculation it could be axed.
Last night, Moray MP Angus Robertson challenged UK Government leaders to “state categorically” that the site was not at risk.
He said: “If the Scottish Secretary is confident that Kinloss is safe from closure, then he would state that categorically – but the bottom line is that he is skirting round the edges of saying that because the MoD won’t make a statement.
“The Tories say they don’t understand where the speculation is coming from, yet the MoD has spent time drawing up plans for different future use of Kinloss and discussed those plans with Moray Council.
“If there was no risk, none of these discussions would have occurred.”
The leader of the SNP’s Westminster group also stressed that a source inside the MoD had advised him Kinloss was on the chopping block.
He added: “We must not let up on defending Kinloss until a definitive statement is made securing its future.”
The Moray Economic Partnership group is leading a task force aimed at convincing defence bosses of the benefits of the Moray base.
Its chairman, John Cowe, yesterday echoed Mr Robertson’s remarks when he said: “We are now hearing that there hasn’t been discussion on closing the Kinloss Barracks.
“But given past experience in Moray, where the fate of RAF Lossiemouth came to the wire, we need to be conscious that could change.
“Until we receive official confirmation from the government, we won’t be able to rest.”
