Edinburgh SNP hit out at Tories over army cuts silence

Redford barracks in Colinton, Glencorse near Penicuik and Craigiehall near South Queensferry are among eight Scottish sites to be shut.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the proposals, which were put forward without any consultation with the Scottish Government, represented a 20 per cent reduction of the defence footprint in Scotland.

“I think that is unacceptable,” she said.

Mr MacDonald said: “The Tories have repeatedly been indifferent to the significant impact these proposed closures will have on communities across Scotland – including the proposed closure of Redford in my constituency by 2022.

“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 are on the line we find the Tories have gone quiet.

“The closure of Redford would have a devastating impact on the community of Colinton, putting at risk jobs both directly and indirectly linked to the barracks.

“I will do all that I can to fight the UK government’s betrayal of our community.”