MORAY MP RAISES DEFENCE LEAK IN PARLIAMENT

For Immediate Release – Monday 25 October 2010

Attn:    NEWS DESKS
            DEFENCE / POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS

DEMANDS FOR ANSWERS ON FUTURE OF RAF LOSSIEMOUTH

Raising a Point of Order in the House of Commons today (Monday) Moray
MP and Westminster SNP leader Angus Robertson MP demanded clarity from
the Ministry of Defence after a leaked defence document said that
Tornado forces are to be centralised at RAF Marham in Norfolk.

The information is contrary to assurances made in parliament by Prime
Minister David Cameron and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, who
claimed that no decisions have been taken.

The defence document leaked to Mr Robertson states that: "Tornado
Bases - Fleet to be centralised along with the aircrafts depth
maintenance at RAF Marham by 31/10/11 TBC".

It is widely reported that only one of the two current Tornado bases,
RAF Lossiemouth or RAF Marham will survive current UK government cuts.

Speaking after raining his Point of Order, Mr Robertson said:

"Less than a week ago David Cameron told parliament that no decision
had been made on the future of RAF Lossiemouth, but within days that
claim is unravelling fast.

"It would be intolerable if it emerged that the Prime Minister was in
fact aware of plans to centralise Tornado forces to Norfolk all along,
and that his assurances were empty.

"The Moray community, not least our service personnel themselves,
deserve honest answers over the future of the base. UK Ministers are
saying one thing while the complete opposite is emerging from the
Ministry of Defence.

"If London ministers withdraw the RAF from Lossiemouth they will have
cut service numbers in Scotland by more than 25% and would compound
the disaster for Moray following their daft decision to close RAF
Kinloss.”

ENDS

Note:

A transcript of Mr Robertson’s Point of Order is detailed below:

Angus Robertson: Thank you Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister has assured
this House that no decision has been taken on the future of RAF
Lossiemouth, however, defence documents have been forwarded to me that
indicate the air force top brass favour RAF Marham as the main future
base for Tornado aircraft. Now, such a decision would decimate the
Moray economy, cut armed force numbers in Scotland by 25% and
concentrate the RAF in the south of England. Given how important an
issue this is Mr Speaker, for service families, for Moray and the
whole of Scotland has the Ministry of Defence confirmed when an
official announcement will be made in this House?

Mr Speaker: The answer to that question is no but the Hon Gentleman
has made his point with his usual force.