SNP MSP for Moray Richard Lochhead has welcomed the news that RAF Lossiemouth is to remain as a fully functioning RAF base after being reprieved from UK Government closure plans.

The announcement today by the UK Government has been welcomed by local campaigners and people across the constituency.

Mr Lochhead said the thoughts of those in Moray were with those communities less fortunate in today’s announcements:

"A huge corrosive cloud of uncertainty has been lifted from Lossiemouth and thousands of families will be hugely relieved their future is secure.

"The community led campaign that captured the public imagination with the support of Scotland made all the difference and saved the base although the defence and economic case was never in doubt.

"Moray's economy still faces a huge challenge following the closure of RAF Kinloss and we will study the prospect of the base having a new lease of life with the army but much work needs to be done to plug the gap in the meantime.

"The thoughts of the Moray community are with those other Scottish communities that have not received good news."

SNP MSP for Moray Richard Lochhead has welcomed the news that RAF Lossiemouth is to remain as a fully functioning RAF base after being reprieved from UK Government closure plans.

The announcement today by the UK Government has been welcomed by local campaigners and people across the constituency.

Mr Lochhead said the thoughts of those in Moray were with those communities less fortunate in today’s announcements:

"A huge corrosive cloud of uncertainty has been lifted from Lossiemouth and thousands of families will be hugely relieved their future is secure.

"The community led campaign that captured the public imagination with the support of Scotland made all the difference and saved the base although the defence and economic case was never in doubt.

"Moray's economy still faces a huge challenge following the closure of RAF Kinloss and we will study the prospect of the base having a new lease of life with the army but much work needs to be done to plug the gap in the meantime.

"The thoughts of the Moray community are with those other Scottish communities that have not received good news."