MOST Scots troops would snub a go-it-alone army if the UK splits, a new study claims. Think-tank the Henry Jackson Society insists the majority of soldiers would rather stay in the British forces. Researchers’ quizzed around two dozen officers from the Scottish battalions — who passed on the views of their enlisted men. Study author George Grant said: “One officer I spoke to put the question to his platoon of 32 men upon returning from Afghanistan. “Thirty said they’d wish to remain with the British Army. “Of the two who didn’t, one wasn’t bothered either way. “And the other said that, for the same pay and conditions, why wouldn’t he join the Scottish force when ‘all we’d be doing is checking passports on the M6’.” The SNP plans a 15,000- strong army, navy and air force, with a share of current UK military assets. But Mr Grant said some troops asked if they’d be committing TREASON by joining a Scottish Defence Force — after swearing an oath to serve the Crown in the British Army. He added: “The general view is the SDF would be less exciting with fewer opportunities.” The report said an independent Scotland would be left with a “second-rate” force — with the best troops joining UK units. It added the Nats have provided “no proper foreign policy”. The study said: “SNP defence commitments are more concerned with winning the referendum than defending Scotland.”
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 06:18:56 +0000