Cabinet will be asked to keep fate of RAF bases secret for four days
The UK's most powerful politicians are set to learn the fate of RAF Leuchars on Thursday — but will be ordered to keep a lid on the decision until next week.
Typhoons from No. 6 Squadron at RAF Leuchars.
The Courier understands that a Commons statement on the future of both the Fife base and Lossiemouth in Moray is unlikely to be made until Monday, four days after members of the cabinet have been briefed.
Speculation has continued to spiral after defence secretary Liam Fox revealed decisions on the RAF's future had been made "over the weekend."
After cabinet members have been informed, the matter will have to go before the National Security Council, which oversees all aspects of security policy in Britain.
Suggestions that the conclusions of the defence review will not be officially revealed until Monday are likely to anger campaigners in both Fife and Moray.
They have joined forces in pushing for an announcement as early as possible, and sources close to the government believe it will be impossible to "keep it quiet" until next week.
There is speculation in some quarters the announcement could yet be brought forward in a bid to quash potentially damaging leaks.
Dr Fox told the Commons on Monday that decisions in the government's review of military bases had been taken and that he hoped to be "making progress very shortly."
The Courier understands staff at RAF Lossiemouth were summoned to "an emergency meeting" on Tuesday afternoon. It is thought that, rather than being informed of any decisions, employees were merely told of the proposed timetable for the announcement.
No such meeting was held at Leuchars, where it was described as "business as usual."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed an announcement was imminent but insisted no firm timetable for the revelations had been agreed.
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