With a UK Government decision imminent on the future of Scotland’s RAF bases, Moray MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the backing of Scots Hollywood star Kevin McKidd for the future of RAF Lossiemouth in his constituency.

Mr Robertson, who leads the SNP at Westminster, said the Ministry of Defence must step back from “massive and disproportionate” cuts to the Royal Air Force in Scotland. The warning comes as First Minister Alex Salmond called on the UK Government to accept the overwhelming case for retaining the current military operations at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leuchars.

Commenting, Mr Robertson said:

“Kevin McKidd has never forgotten his local roots and his support, along with the thousands of others who have rallied behind the base, underlines just how important the RAF is to Lossiemouth and the wider Moray community.

“There is no strategic or defence reason why the Ministry of Defence should consider massive and disproportionate cuts to the RAF in Scotland, while concentrating basing, spending and manpower in the South of England.

“Given Scotland’s geographic location and the increasing importance of the high north it makes no sense for Whitehall to make swinging cuts to capability, personnel and bases. How can a cut of up to 74% in Scotland be justified?

“All our independent Nordic neighbours have similar strategic priorities and they maintain more airbases and more aircraft.  None of them is considering such a damaging course of action.

“It is likely that Scotland will be left with only one military airbase, with limited operational capabilities and this is totally unacceptable.”

North-East Fife SNP MSP Rod Campbell who is a strong supporter of RAF Leuchars said:

"Leuchars is enormously important to the local economy in Fife, sustaining jobs and supporting local businesses.  It directly and indirectly employs 1,900 people in the local economy. Businesses, schools and local services rely on the base.

“Liam Fox has already admitted that Scotland was disproportionately hit by a reduction in defence jobs over the decade to 2010 – a decline of 27.9% north of the border, compared to an 11.6% fall for the UK as a whole.

“These facts support the case for Scotland not to have two-thirds of its airbases closed by the UK government.  Such a prospect is wholly unacceptable to the communities of North East Fife.”

With a UK Government decision imminent on the future of Scotland’s RAF bases, Moray MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the backing of Scots Hollywood star Kevin McKidd for the future of RAF Lossiemouth in his constituency.

Mr Robertson, who leads the SNP at Westminster, said the Ministry of Defence must step back from “massive and disproportionate” cuts to the Royal Air Force in Scotland. The warning comes as First Minister Alex Salmond called on the UK Government to accept the overwhelming case for retaining the current military operations at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leuchars.

Commenting, Mr Robertson said:

“Kevin McKidd has never forgotten his local roots and his support, along with the thousands of others who have rallied behind the base, underlines just how important the RAF is to Lossiemouth and the wider Moray community.

“There is no strategic or defence reason why the Ministry of Defence should consider massive and disproportionate cuts to the RAF in Scotland, while concentrating basing, spending and manpower in the South of England.

“Given Scotland’s geographic location and the increasing importance of the high north it makes no sense for Whitehall to make swinging cuts to capability, personnel and bases. How can a cut of up to 74% in Scotland be justified?

“All our independent Nordic neighbours have similar strategic priorities and they maintain more airbases and more aircraft.  None of them is considering such a damaging course of action.

“It is likely that Scotland will be left with only one military airbase, with limited operational capabilities and this is totally unacceptable.”

North-East Fife SNP MSP Rod Campbell who is a strong supporter of RAF Leuchars said:

"Leuchars is enormously important to the local economy in Fife, sustaining jobs and supporting local businesses.  It directly and indirectly employs 1,900 people in the local economy. Businesses, schools and local services rely on the base.

“Liam Fox has already admitted that Scotland was disproportionately hit by a reduction in defence jobs over the decade to 2010 – a decline of 27.9% north of the border, compared to an 11.6% fall for the UK as a whole.

“These facts support the case for Scotland not to have two-thirds of its airbases closed by the UK government.  Such a prospect is wholly unacceptable to the communities of North East Fife.”