RAF Leuchars will be condemned to closure as an airbase in a move that will have devastating repercussions for Fife and further afield and could severely damage the local economy.
The Courier learned last night that the controversial decision to shut Leuchars was made by a small number of selected cabinet ministers on Saturday and is expected to be announced by UK ministers this afternoon.
Leuchars will instead be turned into barracks for thousands of army troops returning home from overseas, The Courier understands, while RAF Lossiemouth will be spared after defence chiefs apparently favoured the Moray base over its Fife counterpart when weighing up the military arguments for and against.
If confirmed today, the announcement is expected to spark anger among campaigners and will no doubt lead to furious scenes in the Commons.
When contacted last night, a spokesperson for North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell, who has been one of the most vocal supporters of Leuchars, remained defiant despite the hugely disappointing news.
“We are still fighting for the RAF to be retained at Leuchars,” he said.
The closure of Leuchars as an airbase means Fife is likely to take a £60 million hit and could lose up to 2000 jobs if the worst possible news is confirmed.
The battle for RAF Leuchars has been vigorously supported by many high-profile figures and organisations, including this newspaper, but it seems as if the hearts of servicemen and women, their families, countless campaigners, residents, politicians and councillors will all be broken when Dr Fox makes his statement on the future of Britain’s defences.
A Commons announcement had been promised by tomorrow at the latest, but it became clear over the weekend a decision had been made and that a statement would be made within hours.
It is understood Lossiemouth will be kept open as it is seen as better placed to handle the country’s future military needs, being home to the UK’s largest fleet of fast jets.
Indeed, Tornado aircraft were deployed to Libya from the Moray base only within the last 48 hours, while closing Lossiemouth is also seen as politically sensitive given that neighbouring RAF Kinloss has fallen victim to spending cuts.PrayingBob Garmory, president of the Fife Chamber of Commerce, will be praying that RAF Leuchars is given a last-minute reprieve this afternoon, although it is now almost certain the axe will fall on the Fife base as originally feared.
“For any government the goal is a very simple one the protection of its citizens,” he told The Courier. “Leuchars is in the best place to defend the northern half of the UK and that is why the RAF is based there.
“While the closure of Leuchars would hit the economy, the defence argument has to be paramount. Likewise, the basing review must consider the defence case and cannot be led by the Treasury.
“It is clearly now the end game and all we can do is hope the points we have consistently raised have been understood and taken on board.”
Mr Garmory reckons the case for keeping RAF Leuchars is clear and said an ever-changing global situation demands that the UK remains vigilant and in the best possible position to defend itself should it come under attack.
“The Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) service was based at Leuchars because it is the best place from which to defend the northern half of the UK,” he pointed out. “That has not changed.”
He added, “Even since we started this campaign there have been huge international events, not least the unprecedented Arab uprisings.
“Given the nature of the world we live in, it would be very unwise to take any risks with our national security.”
Whatever happens, he admitted an end to all the uncertainty cannot come soon enough.
“I have said before that lots of people from our air bases are serving abroad, in places such as Libya and Afghanistan,” he continued.
“All this doubt over their future cannot help either them or their families during what must already be a very difficult time.
“This has been a very troubling time for everyone involved in both Fife and Moray.”
The Ministry of Defence confirmed an announcement would be made today.