THE Scottish Government has urged the new defence secretary to clarify the future of bases and armed forces personnel north of the border.

Scotland’s Veterans Minister Keith Brown has written to Gavin Williamson calling for assurances. He said Mr Williamson must resist any further cuts.

It was announced last November that eight military sites in Scotland will close in the next 15 years, cutting the defence estate by a fifth.

Mr Brown said the moves were causing “a great deal of uncertainty for service personnel and their families, and communities across Scotland”.

An MoD spokesman said: “The Government is committed to an enduring defence presence in Scotland.”