Black Watch may extend Iraq stay

The regiment is on its second tour of duty in Iraq

Members of the Black Watch regiment may have to remain in Iraq for longer than had been hoped, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

Officials said the regiment's troops may have to stay, to help curb insurgency.

It is expected that the 600-strong battalion will be back home before Christmas after completing four months of a six-month tour.

Opposition parties have urged the MoD to clarify its intentions.

The regiment is on its second tour of duty in Iraq.

It encountered some of the fiercest fighting of the war during the first tour last year.

This uncertainty is extremely unsatisfactory and undesirable Michael Howard Conservative leader Tory warning over troop move

One soldier died and another was seriously injured during the second tour of duty.

There has been speculation that the Black Watch could be sent to an area south of Baghdad.

The MoD has continued to insist that there are no plans to send British troops to help US forces in Falluja.

'Relevant questions'

However, Conservative leader Michael Howard said the uncertainty should be cleared up to avoid further anxiety for the regiment and their families.

Speaking during a visit to the Black Watch museum and regimental headquarters at Balhousie Castle in Perth, Mr Howard called for a Commons statement.

"This uncertainty is extremely unsatisfactory and undesirable and needs to be cleared up as soon as possible," he said.

This is sparking an emotional reaction right throughout Scotland Sydney Mather Save the Regiments

"If it's the case that British troops are to be moved out of area, it's vital that a statement is made in parliament at the earliest possible opportunity so that we can ask the relevant questions.

"Where are they going to? What will be their task? How long will they stay there? What will be the change of command? These are vital questions to which we need answers."

Before he the visit, Mr Howard signed a petition held out to him by Save The Regiments campaigner Sydney Mather.

Mr Mather, 69, from Montrose, who did his national service in Kenya with the Black Watch between 1953 and 1955, said: "Can you tell Tony Blair that he will never be welcome in Scotland if he does anything to us.

"It's like doing away with Edinburgh Castle. This is sparking an emotional reaction right throughout Scotland."

Regiment pledge

The Scottish National Party said the MoD should "come clean" over its plans for the Black Watch in Iraq.

Peter Wishart, SNP MP for North Tayside, said: "If the Black Watch is to be sent to assist US troops, there must be an unambiguous outline of the sort of operations which the regiment will be involved."

The Conservative leader also said he wanted to defend the Black Watch over plans to merge regiments in Scotland.

"I am here to express my solidarity and that of the Conservative Party with those who are fighting to save the Black Watch.

"We will save the Scottish regiments. We will save the four battalions of the British Army which the government proposes to scrap."

The Black Watch, which traditionally recruits from Perthshire, Angus and Fife, is based in Warminster, Wiltshire.