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MoD branded “rude” over lack of Fort George consultation

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Defence chiefs have been branded “rude” and “disrespectful to the people of the Highlands” for failing to tell civic leaders that they could shut down Fort George.

Local authority boss Margaret Davidson launched the attack after it emerged that council officials in Moray had been told about the threat to Kinloss Barracks four months ago.

Highland Council and Mrs Davidson confirmed yesterday, however, that they had received no such briefing from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the risk to Fort George.

The bases are being considered for closure as part of the MoD’s footprint strategy, although ministers insist no decisions have been taken.

More than 3,500 Press and Journal readers have already backed the Press and Journal’s campaign to save the 250-year-old Fort George garrison, which is currently home to the Black Watch battalion.

A row broke out in Moray this week after it emerged that local authority officials had been made aware of the review of Kinloss’s future in April, but it had not been made public.

Highland Council confirmed yesterday that it had not been similarly notified of the threat to Fort George.

Mrs Davidson said: “The first I heard about it was in the P&J.

“It’s rude. It really isn’t good enough. It’s really disrespectful to the people of the Highlands.”

Inverness MP Drew Hendry also criticised the lack of consultation.

“It seems pretty shambolic that they have had discussions with Moray Council over Kinloss, without speaking to any other stakeholders,” he said.

“At the same time it seems they’ve confirmed they’re looking at Fort George and haven’t bothered to speak to anyone about it. It’s a disgraceful situation.”

Quizzed about Fort George by the Press and Journal yesterday, Mr Mundell said he hoped there would be an “early decision to end the uncertainty”, indicating it would be “soon”.

An MoD spokeswoman said: “The MoD has held regular discussions with Moray Council for several years.

“These are wider discussions on infrastructure and investment in various military sites in the Moray area rather than focusing on Kinloss specifically.

“MoD land currently spans about half a million football pitches. We are looking to sell what we don’t need so new homes can be built on it.

“We’ve currently named 22 sites but no decisions about future ones have been taken.”