Carmichael calls on government to reassess Northern Isles importance to UK security

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today pressed the government to reassess the significance of the Northern Isles to UK security in light of growing military activity in the North Atlantic. Mr Carmichael highlighted the growing importance of the space sector and the Saxavord Space Centre in Unst, in contrast to the downgrading of the Saxavord radar station in 2006.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“Through the years of the Cold War, the RAF radar station at Saxavord in Unst was the front line of our nation’s defences to the north. That was drawn down 20 years ago and is now home to the Saxavord Space Centre. We’ve seen the recent activities of the [Russian spy vessel] Yantar and the interception of the Bella 1 [in January].

“With space being identified as a priority in the strategy defence review, will the government now be reassessing the significance of Shetland and its waters as we look to the developing situation in the far north?”

Responding for the government, the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP said:

“We deeply value the role that Shetland and Scotland in general plays to reinforce the security of the United Kingdom – the fact that there are 9,500 full-time troops in Scotland, the fact that there are around 3,000 civilian defence personnel based in Scotland, and the fact that as a government in the last year, we put over £2bn into the Scottish economy to support defence and the role that Scotland plays in general. That is part of keeping this country safer, but also defence driving economic growth throughout the UK.”

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“Between recent threats to Greenland, Russian spy ship incursions and the interception of Russian tankers in the North Atlantic in recent weeks, the High North is rapidly becoming one of the most significant arenas for the UK’s political and military interests – and the Northern Isles are the gateway to that arena.

“The Secretary of State spoke about full time troops across Scotland. It is disappointing that the previous government made the shortsighted decision to axe permanent military staff in the Northern Isles and cut back the previous dedicated support for local volunteers. If the current government is serious about dealing with this differently then restoring that permanent and dedicated presence would be an obvious, very small first step.

“I welcome news that the Defence Select Committee has opened a focused inquiry into Defence in the High North. Greater scrutiny of government plans for our northern defence and security is absolutely vital, and I shall be engaging with their work in the coming weeks.”