Coalition ‘penny-pinching’

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has accused “metropolitan penny-pinchers” in the UK government of “dismantling” the services that help keep Scotland’s seas safe.

The SNP politician hit out in his speech to the party’s annual conference in Inverness.

His attack on the Westminster coalition comes in the wake of plans to close eight coastguard stations, including two in Scotland. In addition two emergency tug boats were withdrawn from service last month. The boats are now being brought back to use under a three-month contract, with Westminster providing up to £3 million of interim funding to replace the emergency towing vehicles in the Western Isles and Shetland.

Mr Lochhead said: “The Tory government in London is dismantling our maritime rescue services. And they are doing this with the backing of their Scottish henchmen, known in these parts as the Liberal Democrats.”