 |
| A number of US military planes have been seen at Prestwick Airport since the start of the action against Iran(Image: Stu Smith) |
If it were proven that US military aircraft were involved in strikes in the Middle East, First Minister John Swinney has stated that he would consider prohibiting their use of Prestwick Airport. Swinney has stated in the past that he was "concerned" about the US and Israeli actions against Iran and that he did not believe that they were in line with an "international rules-based system." He told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg he was seeking clarity from the UK government about the role of US planes using the South Ayrshire airport, which is owned by the Scottish government.
Pressed on whether he would ban such aircraft, he said: "I will consider that based on the evidence that's provided to me."
Read More: Scotland's papers: Killer parole 'panic' and Trump demands Iran surrender
In 2013, the Scottish government declared Prestwick Airport a national asset. The majority of its flights now are cargo services but hundreds of flights in recent years have also involved the US military.
 |
| Swinney was grilled about the use of Prestwick Airport at First Minister's Questions on Thursday (Image:PA Meda) |
The Scottish Greens stated at First Minister's Questions on Thursday that 24 US military planes had landed at the airport in the week preceding the action against Iran, a significant increase. Ross Greer, the co-leader, said that Swinney was "sitting on his hands" and urged him to ban them like Spain did. Greer stated that the purpose of the most recent US flights was "abundantly obvious."
 |
| Glasgow Prestwick Airport has been owned by the Scottish government since 2013(Image: Getty Images) |
In an interview that will air on Sunday, BBC's Laura Kuenssberg pressed Swinney on the subject. "We're seeking clarity from the United Kingdom government about the purpose of American flights that are coming into and out of Prestwick, but we don't have the ability to scrutinize those flights," he responded. The first minister stated that American aircraft were passing through Prestwick on their way to the Middle East, but he could not determine their purpose until he received clarification from the UK government. Swinney responded, "I will consider that based on the evidence that's provided to me," when asked if he would ban them in the event that it was established that they were involved in the Middle East operation. The BBC has contacted the Ministry of Defense to inquire about its ability to provide this level of clarity.
Posts
0 Comments