Campaigners in Leuchars are urging shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy to heap pressure on Liam Fox’s replacement as questions over the decision to close Fife’s historic RAF base remain unanswered.
There was dismay in July when Dr Fox controversially consigned 100 years of proud aviation history in Leuchars to the dustbin.
His decision to axe the base was allegedly taken in the face of strong opposition from RAF chiefs, who had insisted the facility was in the best possible strategic location to defend the northern half of the British Isles from any airborne terrorist threat.
Following Dr Fox’s sudden resignation in the wake of a probe into his dealings with friend and ”adviser” Adam Werrity, campaigners insist the need for clarity over the rationale behind the decision to close Leuchars is more pressing than ever.
Members of Leuchars Community Council have now written to Mr Murphy, urging him to quiz Dr Fox’s replacement as defence secretary, Philip Hammond.
”In light of the recent resignation of Liam Fox and the unanswered questions regarding his dealings with various third parties, the community council believe that the decisions made by Dr Fox under his Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) may not have been made entirely for strategic defence reasons,” said the community council’s vice-chairman, Mark Sharp.
”I, like many other retired RAF personnel in the locality, have failed to understand the rationale of some of the decisions taken as a result of the SDSR. The community of Leuchars, both RAF and civilian, has suffered under Dr Fox’s review and he has consistently failed to answer questions put to him by Sir Menzies Campbell MP and ourselves regarding the decision to close the base and transfer its assets to RAF Lossiemouth (in Moray).
”RAF Leuchars has remained the home of the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) service for over 40 years, providing vital air defence for the northern part of the UK due to its strategic geographical location.”
Mr Sharp insisted the decision to axe the Fife base had been taken for ”political” reasons, against the wishes of RAF chiefs of staff. The community council is now urging Mr Murphy to demand a fresh review of the SDSR.