General Sir Mike Jackson: "Scotland cannot sustain recruiting"

General Sir Mike Jackson told a Sunday newspaper that Scotland cannot sustain recruitment for its six battalions.

It follows the announcement that one of Scotland's six infantry battalions is to be disbanded and the remaining five merged.

Save the Scottish Regiments said General Jackson's comments were "a slur to soldiers on active service".

'Wall of noise'

In the Sunday Telegraph, General Jackson said: "It is utterly clear that Scotland cannot sustain recruiting for six battalions and remember, a lot of Scottish regiments have Fijians to make up the numbers.

"There has been a wall of noise coming out of Scotland about these reductions, but let me say this; if these regiments are so precious, why are not more young Scotsmen joining up?"

Jeffrey Duncan, from Save the Scottish Regiments Campaign, was angered by the comments.

He pointed out in response to General Jackson's comments that there had been a freeze on recruiting in Scotland for some months which would remain in place until at least October.

In light of that, Mr Duncan asked: "How does General Jackson expect recruitment to increase?"

'Unacceptable cuts'

He said: "If he thinks he has heard a 'wall of noise' so far - he should run out and buy some ear-plugs because the response to these unacceptable cuts in Scotland by the Scottish people and their political representatives will reach Westminster by the autumn when parliament reconvenes.

"If Labour do go ahead with these cuts I feel confident the Scottish public will deliver them a bloody nose at the polls come the General Election.

"Quite frankly, General Jackson's statement on recruitment is a slur to the brave Scottish soldiers on active service and those who are trying to join at the moment.

"In my opinion, he is nothing short of a disgrace and I can only wonder why he is accepting these cuts so willingly."