THE COLONEL of The Black Watch has again been urged to reconsider his position on the committee that will determine the fate of Scotland’s infantry regiments.

Sir Alistair Irwin has so far not made any official statement regarding his position.

Controversy surrounds a document he wrote in May last year arguing for drastic changes to the regimental system.

As colonel of The Black Watch he is expected to defend the regiment’s interests, a position his opponents say is incompatible with his role on the committee which could consign it to history.

Although Sir Alistair has received backing from civic leaders and members of the Dundee Black Watch Association, there is increasing pressure on him to step down from the committee in order to serve The Black Watch better.

If he does, his position will likely be taken by an independent figure, with former NATO secretary-general Lord Robertson a leading candidate.

Jeff Duncan, organiser of the Save the Scottish Regiments Campaign said yesterday, “Nobody is questioning Sir Alistair’s empathy or personal interests.

“What is very much in question is his role as both Colonel Commandant of the Scottish Division, in which capacity he is expected to carry out on behalf of the MoD/government the deconstruction of the Scottish Regiments and his other role of Colonel of The Black Watch, in which he is expected to defend the interests of that regiment.

“This places Sir Alistair in an impossible position…For the sake of clarity (he) should make a public statement on his position.

“Until this happens, sooner rather than later, everyone who has an interest in preserving the single regimental system will be at best unsure of his position and at worst hostile towards his current multiple roles.

“Our campaign has called on him to resign one of his positions to enable him to have a clear path, a path which is not impeded by accusations of bias to either the MoD or The Black Watch.”

The campaign to save The Black Watch is showing no signs of slowing down in Fife or Tayside.

Over 1500 people signed a petition organised by the Dundee Black Watch Association opposing any changes to the regiment in just four hours on Saturday.

One of the first names on the list was Dundee East MP Iain Luke.

“I am glad to hear of the response to the petition and I was pleased to see so many Association members on duty that day,” he said.