Scottish Secretary Challenged To Ensure Redford's Future On Visit

The SNP has challenged the Tory Scottish Secretary to rethink the closure of Redford Cavalry and Infantry Barracks and take the opportunity to apologise for the drastic cuts to Scotland’s defence footprint when he visits the historic site today (Monday).

Alister Jack will visit Redford Cavalry and Infantry Barracks in Edinburgh Pentlands, which is due for closure by 2025, today.

Gordon Macdonald MSP, who has been campaigning for the barracks to remain open for almost a decade, has renewed calls to protect the barracks and encouraged the Tories to rethink the closure - which would have a devastating effect on the local community in Edinburgh Pentlands.

Gordon Macdonald MSP said, "For years, the Tories have shown absolutely no regard for the huge upheaval in the community that the closure of Redford barracks will create, and the impact that this will have on local public services.

“The irony is that the Tories are always happy to talk up the economic benefits that a defence presence generates for Scotland – but now those jobs and livelihoods are on the line, the Tories have gone quiet.

"I sincerely hope that Alister Jack's visit today won't be used as an opportunity to treat the military bases facing closure like a visitor centre.

"Perhaps a better use of his time would be to get his Tory colleagues at Westminster to remove the threat of the axe that has been hanging over Redford barracks for too long.

"The Scottish Secretary should apologise for his government’s cuts as he visits Scottish barracks facing closure – and take the opportunity to think again on the drastic cuts to Scotland’s defence footprint."