Radiation probe launched at RAF Kinloss

RAF Kinloss in Moray is being investigated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to determine the extent of radioactive contamination at the base, it emerged last night.

The site was used to dismantle more than 1,000 aircraft following the Second World War.

Instruments in the cockpits, which were coated with “glow in the dark” luminous paint containing radium, were burned and buried at the site, which is one of nine across Scotland that are under scrutiny, with others including a beach at Dalgety Bay in Fife, where radar surveys and trial pits have been ordered to gauge the extent of the problem.

Environment secretary Richard Lochhead expressed concern the MoD could have sold contaminated land to communities surrounding RAF Kinloss. The MoD confirmed it was reviewing the quality of land at the base but would not comment on whether land outwith the base was contaminated.

Environmental reports believed to have been prepared by a private contractor for the MoD, revealed the authorities had known of “potential human health and environmental risks” at Kinloss since at least 2004.