Military chiefs were under fire last night for refusing to reveal when they will end the “completely unacceptable” uncertainty over the future of Fort George.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will not say when a decision on the 250-year-old barracks will be announced, having previously stated that it would be revealed this autumn.
Inverness MP Drew Hendry branded the silence “disrespectful” to Highland residents last night.
Mr Hendry and Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson are heading to Westminster on October 17 to make a last ditch plea to save the base from closure.
They will meet Defence Minister Mark Lancaster for the showdown talks.
Last night, Mr Hendry said: “It is disrespectful to the people of this constituency and is completely unacceptable.
“We were told that their decision was imminent but September has now come and gone whilst the uncertainty drags on.”
He added: “I would have thought that, given the importance of Fort George that ministers would have met me before now – however, I have finally secured a meeting with the MoD later this month.
“I will be taking that opportunity to reflect the views of the people who have been shocked by this proposal and its potential consequences and to demand that the Army base is retained.”
The Press and Journal revealed in June that Fort George had been earmarked for closure by the MoD as part of its ongoing footprint review.
Almost 6,000 people have since backed our Fight for Fort George campaign, including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant and dozens of ex-service peursonnel and their families.
Built after the Battle of Culloden, the garrison has been home to the Black Watch battalion for almost a decade and it also houses the regimental museum for The Highlanders.
An MoD spokesman could not comment when asked when the findings of the footprint review would be announced.
He added: “As part of an ongoing review, we are aiming to create a smaller and better defence estate that effectively supports our Armed Forces in the important role they play.
“The MoD is considering how it might achieve this and no final decision about the future of Fort George has been made at this time.”
