MARINE FAMILIES LET DOWN BY PETULANT MINISTER'S NATBASHING

SNP MP for Angus, Mike Weir, has criticised Defence Minister Adam Ingram for launching into a petulant Natbashing rant in response to a query at Defence Questions about the rumoured deployment of 45 Commando who are based in his constituency.

Mr Weir asked the Defence Minister whether the rumoured deployment of 45 Commando, who are acknowledged experts in winter warfare, still meant that the UK troops deployed in the area fell within the current deployment levels laid out by the international force.

In response the Minister failed to answer the question and instead indulged in what Mr Weir has described as a shockingly partisan and petulant rant.

Commenting on Mr Weir said:

"It was ridiculous of the minister to ignore the reasonable question and instead embark on a petulant rant.

"Afghanistan is a different circumstance from Iraq but nonetheless UK troops are undoubtedly being overstretched by a series of deployments around the world.

"45 Commando are acknowledged experts in winter warfare and will do a tremendous job, whatever is asked of them. They have been deployed to the country before and played an important role in a difficult time.

"It is important, however, to ascertain that they are not being deployed to widen the remit of UK involvement.

"However, it is a great shame that the Minister felt it more important to attack the SNP because of his party's current difficulties at the polls.

"This is a serious issue concerning families in Arbroath who require rumours of deployment to be answered instead of creating uncertainty."