MP pleads Cameron to save air bases

Former Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell has urged David Cameron to retain RAF Leuchars.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Menzies Campbell has pleaded to ensure that the base is retained when the coalition government draws up its strategic defence review in the coming weeks.

The review will decide the ultimate future of the base.

Sir Menzies said RAF Leuchars acted as a deterrent to potential terrorist attacks while also offering an "unparalleled emergency response force" should such an assault take place.

In his letter, the MP for North East Fife said Leuchars was the home of the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) service which is "constantly poised to defend the northern half of the UK".

"The Prime Minister made a compelling speech last week at a graduation ceremony at RAF Cranwell, the air force equivalent of Sandhurst, about the essential nature of the Royal Air Force and his determination not to compromise on our nation's security"

"The retention of RAF Leuchars as a frontline airbase will more than meet this criteria," he said.