John Baron MP: Secretary of State’s letter and meeting proves 2RRF cut is a political decision

Evidence shows 2 Scottish Battalions would have been axed but for additional political criteria

Following his criticism in the House of Commons of the Government’s Army cuts including the proposed axing of The Second Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers [2RRF], and his further questions by letter and email, John Baron MP met with the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of General Staff on 14^th August at the MOD. Just before the meeting, John was sent a letter in part answer to a number of his questions. John served with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on a number of operational tours during the 1980s.

John said:

“The Secretary of State’s letter clearly admits that, unlike the other infantry Battalions being cut, 2RRF was not initially included on the basis of military capability and sustainability. Instead, 2RRF fell victim to the Government’s additional criteria to limit Regimental losses to one Battalion each and that no cap badges were to go. Without this, the letter makes clear two Scottish Battalions would have been axed because of their poorer recruitment histories and sustainability forecasts.”

“These Army cuts are a big mistake, but if there are to be cuts then military capability and sustainability should be the key determinants. Government interference to save poorly recruited Scottish Battalions smacks of a grubby political fix as we head for the Scottish referendum.”

“If the Government cannot do the right thing within the MOD budget, then it should source funding from the ridiculous £1,000 million aid package we are sending to India – a country with its own aid, space and nuclear programme.”