Black Watch red hackle 'to stay'

The red hackle is a feather plume worn on a soldier's cap

Black Watch soldiers will be allowed to keep their distinctive red hackle for "as long as the Army exists," Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised.

There had been concerns that the battalion would have to give up its famous red feather plume following reports of similar moves by the TA.

The issue was put to the prime minister by Dundee West MP Jim McGovern, whose grandfather was a Black Watch soldier.

Mr Brown assured him that the tradition would be maintained.

Fears were first raised for the future of the red hackle after it was reported that the Territorial Army in Scotland was considering moving to a purple hackle as a way of forging a common identity between the two TA battalions.

As the Black Watch is now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, it was feared their hackle could be next.

Mr McGovern raised the concerns with Mr Brown at Prime Minister's Questions.

He told the prime minister his grandfather would be "birling in his grave" to hear that the red hackle could be changed.

Mr Brown replied: "I can assure my honourable friend that the tradition that he talks about will be maintained as long as the Army exists."