Defence secretary Philip Hammond not seen in Scotland since taking top defence job 11 months ago

DEFENCE Secretary Philip Hammond has been accused of “running scared of Scotland” after it emerged that he is yet to make a trip north of the Border since taking his ministerial role 11 months ago.

A written answer revealed Mr Hammond has not made a single visit to Scotland. In his first eight months in post, there were only six trips to Scottish bases by defence ministers.

In contrast, his predecessor Dr Liam Fox, originally from East Kilbride and formerly a GP in Edinburgh, visited Scotland seven times in his first six months after taking office.

In that period, there were 11 trips by junior defence ministers north of the Border.

The figures were issued in response to a question from Labour’s shadow defence secretary, Jim Murphy, and came after the Ministry of Defence admitted personnel in Scotland had reached a historic low.

Despite promises by the coalition that it would reverse the decline in defence personnel in Scotland, the total number this year has reached 15,500, down from 17,300 a year ago

The lack of visits comes at a time when there are questions over whether Mr Hammond will execute plans by his predecessor to move more troops into Scotland from Germany, although the MoD has insisted the review of where soldiers will be based is ongoing.

Since becoming Defence Secretary it is understood Mr Hammond has cancelled Dr Fox’s plans to build a super barracks in Kirknewton, near Edinburgh.

There are also doubts over the future of Leuchars, in Fife, where the RAF is due to be pulled out and, under Dr Fox’s plans, an army unit was to be stationed.

However, supporters of the defence secretary point out that he angered many fellow English Tory MPs by saving the historic Scottish regimental names in the recent cull of battalions. Only the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders are to be reduced in size, to company strength of about 100, serving largely for ceremonial duties.

However, the SNP insists that the keeping of the Scottish army names was “window dressing” to hide cuts that are ongoing and the lack of visits is because Mr Hammond does not want to answer questions on his policies for north of the Border.

SNP Westminster leader and defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP said: “In the wake of continuing and disproportionate cuts to Scotland’s military footprint the Defence Secretary is running scared.

“He owes it to service personnel, and our defence communities, to explain why the UK government is cutting jobs.

“Given the impact his cuts are having on thousands of personnel and their families, he should have had the courtesy and courage to come and explain his cuts in person.”

However, the MoD insisted that the secretary of state had been busy and that plans for bases in Scotland and other parts of the UK will happen in the future.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The secretary of state has been concentrating on some of the key decisions, such as balancing the MoD’s budget, finalising our carrier strike plans and the restructuring of the army.

“He expects to visit members of the armed forces across the whole country now these key decisions have been taken.”