Petition seeks regiment rethink

SNP leader, Alex Salmond was one of the first to sign the petition

Opposition politicians have signed a petition calling for a rethink on the planned merger of Scotland's regiments.

Campaigners, who launched the petition at the Scottish Parliament, have the backing of the SNP, Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives.

Alex Salmond, who was one of the first to sign the petition, said it was an appeal to tradition and practicality.

A Scottish army spokesman said the petition was "deeply unhelpful" to the serving community.

The petition asks the government to re-examine plans to create a single regiment from the six existing regiments, and to amalgamate The Royal Scots and The Kings Own Scottish Borderers.

But Lieutenant Colonel Niall MacGregor-Smith said the restructuring was necessary to secure a long-lasting future for the army in Scotland.

Stability required

"Serving soldiers have shaped the restructuring we are embarking on," he said. "They have been widely consulted and believe it is what the army needs.

"This petition is deeply unhelpful for the serving community and serves no real purpose other than to cause confusion.

"What our serving soldiers need is for the uncertainty that has characterised recent months to stop. They need stability and career opportunities in a modern army. That is what the restructuring of the infantry is offering."

The proposals were part of a shake-up of the UK's infantry announced in December.

The move was strongly criticised and led to a series of protest marches across Scotland in an attempt to reverse the decision.