Alex Salmond: ‘Loss of famous army names a calamity’

THe proposed shake-up of Scotland’s regiments, which could see many famous names disappear, has been branded a “calamity” by Alex Salmond, who accused the coalition of an “arrogant” approach.

He revealed that Holyrood ministers wrote to the UK government months ago about the changes, but heard nothing until details emerged in the media this week.

The First Minister is now demanding the situation is clarified amid concerns that the Black Watch could be among the names to go.

“The only calamities happening in Scotland are things like the regimental traditions being traduced by the Conservative party,” he told MSPs yesterday.

Previous Tory leaders in Scotland had pledged that the regiments would be “maintained”, Mr Salmond said. “Now not even the cap badges are maintained.”

The Scottish Government had been told that armed forces minister Nick Harvie would send a letter about the changes after Edinburgh sought clarity in March, Mr Salmond said.

“In terms of arrogance that’s being deployed, crucially, to elements of Scottish regimental traditions, there’s the arrogance towards not just this government, but this parliament, when things are splashed all over the papers, and we’re still awaiting Nick Harvie’s letter telling us exactly what their plans are.”