Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander claimed on Thursday that First Minister John Swinney declined a briefing offer about military use of a Scottish airport. The allegation emerged during a visit to the Leonardo factory in Edinburgh and follows recent incidents involving foreign vessels in Scottish waters that sparked security concerns.
Alexander said he personally offered Swinney a briefing about the use of Wick John O'Groats airport for military operations. The offer, made by letter last week, has not been accepted, according to Alexander.
The Scottish Secretary emphasized constitutional boundaries. «The Scotland Act is very clear that defence and foreign affairs are reserved matters,» he told journalists. «And as a committed devolutionist, Scotland has two governments with respective and discrete responsibilities.»
Recent Security Incidents
The briefing offer follows heightened activity around Scotland involving foreign vessels. A Russian-flagged ship called Marinera was recently escorted through the Moray Firth, while US forces seized a Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic.
American special operations planes and other military aircraft were observed at Wick airport and other Scottish locations before the Marinera operation. Swinney previously expressed being «deeply concerned» by the incident and said he expected the Scottish Government to be «fully sighted» on security issues affecting Scottish waters.
Call for Partnership
Defence Secretary John Healey, who joined Alexander on the Edinburgh visit, urged stronger cooperation. He said he wants the Scottish Government to be a «firm, strong, reliable government partner for the UK Government» on defence matters.
Healey also accused the SNP Government of failing to invest sufficiently in defence sector skills. When asked about Donald Trump's rhetoric over Greenland, he affirmed Nato unity: «Our military and security co-operation – and the closeness of that co-operation – with the US, with Norway and with other Nato allies as needed to protect the North Atlantic and the high north is as strong as ever and it will continue.»
Alexander stressed the importance of moving beyond partisan divisions. «These issues are far, far too important to be subject to party politics,» he said.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).