THE GOVERNMENT has been accused of attacking The Black Watch at home while its soldiers are on active duty on foreign soil.

Wednesday’s announcement by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon that one of Scotland’s regiments would go was met with dismay by local politicians.

Scotland’s senior army officer Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin yesterday insisted there was “no foundation” to reports The Black Watch was at any greater risk than the nation’s five other infantry regiments.

However there has long been a feeling that the regiment is living on borrowed time.

As The Courier launched its campaign to save Tayside and Fife’s historic regiment, politicians yesterday rallied round and expressed their grave concern for its future.

Among them was North Tayside MP Pete Wishart who criticised the government’s announcement and its timing.

“While service personnel are putting their lives on the line in Iraq, the government is stabbing them in the back,” he said.

“The Black Watch has a proud record and has excelled in undertaking peacekeeping duties notably during their service in Iraq.

“This makes the government’s proposals even more untenable.”

Sir Alistair revealed he would be “surprised” if any Scottish regiment was scrapped entirely.

However, many local politicians yesterday remained unconvinced.

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said he would continue to put pressure on the defence secretary not to cut or amalgamate Scotland’s regiments, including The Black Watch, which is based in Perth.

“This could be the end of a regiment that has fought across the globe for this country with the highest of dignity and has battled in some of the most famous battles and wars in history, such as at Waterloo and the Somme.

“It would be a tragic day for the whole of Tayside and Fife and a dangerous precedent for our country.

“The young men and women of The Black Watch are currently in Basra, fighting for these islands and for the people of Iraq.

“One soldier lost his life last year.

“I can only imagine how much Geoff Hoon has sapped their morale.”

North Tayside MSP John Swinney urged local people to throw their support behind The Black Watch.

He also considered it a scandal that the government would consider cuts at a time when The Black Watch is on active service.

“I know that a vigorous campaign to save The Black Watch will be undertaken and I am proud to provide my backing.

“We must all get behind our regiments to preserve their great tradition in the face of government penny pinching.

“The campaign to save The Black Watch must be stepped up and I know that across Perthshire and North Tayside people will be queuing up to support the campaign. We must not let Geoff Hoon tear the heart out of the Scottish Regiments by disbanding or amalgamating them.”

Meanwhile Perth MP Annabelle Ewing revealed she had written to Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram to demand a meeting to discuss the future of The Black Watch.

She said MPs had been told a meeting was not appropriate until after the statement.

Ms Ewing commented yesterday, “We have now learned what is proposed for the Scottish Armed Forces and the minister now has to explain himself to the people of Perthshire.

“This government can run but it cannot hide on this issue.

“The people of Perthshire want the assurance that The Black Watch will be saved.”