PM 'open' on Black Watch future

The Black Watch is moving north in Iraq

No final decision has been taken on the future of the Scottish regiments, the Prime Minister has said.

Speaking in Downing Street, Tony Blair said "options are open" and he would listen to the strength of feeling on the issue.

His comments came as troops from the Black Watch moved north to a US-controlled sector in Iraq.

Ministers are considering a proposal to form a single umbrella regiment for the whole of Scotland with five battalions.

Under the proposals from the Council of Scottish Colonels, the Royal Scots and the King's Own Scottish Borderers would be merged into a single battalion.

Critics are concerned the move will mean the Scottish regiments' historic identities will be lost.

'Strong feeling'

They also fear any reduction in troop numbers could leave Britain vulnerable at a time of uncertainty.

During his monthly press conference, Mr Blair told reporters that any re-organisation of the regiments would follow from "proposals made by the army".

But he stressed that "no decisions have been taken on this, finally".

Campaigners march to save the regiments

"It has got to be done on the right basis for those regiments, but also for the configuration of the armed forces as a whole," he said.

"Of course the options are open. But it is not right for people to say the government is about to make a different decision. I'm not saying that.

"We are well aware of the strong feeling on the Scottish regiments - believe me, we are very well aware of it - and we will listen to that feeling.

"But we also have to take the right decisions for the whole of the armed forces."

Mr Blair also said that the Black Watch's redeployment in Iraq was a "limited operation for a limited period" to ensure elections happened.