Councillors Cowe and Gatt clash over RAF Lossiemouth comments
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Armed Forces Champion and current Keith and Cullen councillor Donald Gatt has hit back at "reprehensible" and "disgraceful" comments from councillor John Cowe (Heldon and Laich) regarding RAF Lossiemouth.
Cllr John Cowe made the comments at a meeting at Lossiemouth Town Hall on Wednesday night where discussions were had with regards to what to do about the East Beach bridge, which has been closed at the peak of tourist season.
Speaking at the public meeting, Cllr Cowe said it was "high time" that the RAF comes to Lossiemouth's aid.
He said: "Lossiemouth and the task force saved the air base. It's high time they come to our aid now."
Cllr Cowe added that the town had been left £466,000 out of pocket due to the ongoing construction of the town's high school – which had to be sound-proofed, made from anti-glare material and be able to accommodate an extra 100 children due to the RAF.
Hitting back, Cllr Gatt said: "The comments... attributed to Cllr John Cowe (Heldon and Laich) are a reprehensible attack on our local Royal Air Force colleagues who are unable to answer back in a political context.
"It is disgraceful that an elected councillor has criticised our local RAF base and its personnel in his attack on them at the meeting over the Lossiemouth footbridge. Service personnel cannot respond due to the political nature and Cllr Cowe would have known this when he made his comments.
"The Armed Forces exist to defend the country and make a valuable contribution to any local community in which they serve – often giving up their spare time to carry out charity supporting activities.
"The economic benefit of RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks is huge and would soon be felt if they left. People will remember the overwhelming support for RAF Lossiemouth when it was faced with closure some years ago. If Cllr Cowe has any decency left he should make a public apology and retract his comments."
The RAF has confirmed 25 per cent of the funds raised from this month's annual raft race, which usually starts and finishes at the bridge, will be put towards the bridge fund. The remaining money will be split between three charities, which the RAF already confirmed it would give money to by the time the bridge closed.
An spokesperson added: "RAF Lossiemouth and its families are saddened by the closure of the East Beach Bridge. It is a much-loved part of the community we are proud to be at the heart of. On hearing of this news, our immediate thoughts were how we could support the local area’s efforts to find a solution.
"Every year we organise the Lossiemouth raft race, which raises much needed funds for local charities. With the closure of the bridge, we knew its impact would be significant to all who live locally. As such, we have chosen to split this year’s proceeds four ways, between MFR Cash for Kids, Poppy Scotland, The Oaks, and the Lossiemouth Community Development Trust Bridge Fund.
"We continue to work closely with our counterparts in the multi-agency task force, and we hope to see all members of the local community join us on August 18 for the raft race and help us raise much needed funds for the bridge."
