| President of the association’s Dundee branch, Colonel Alex Murdoch, told the council leaders at the Powrie Brae monument that the allegations made against Lieutenant-General Sir Alistair Irwin were untrue.
The British Army’s adjutant-general and colonel of The Black Watch was said to be the author of a strategy paper written in May last year advocating the end of the Scottish regimental system.
However, Colonel Murdoch, also Lord Dean of the Guild, said, “The allegations about the colonel are untrue.
“He is in charge of the regiment and he is fully behind the retention of The Black Watch.
“But in his position as lieutenant-general he has to follow the directions of the Defence Secretary.”
Colonel Murdoch said, “I was asked to go along by the Combined Ex-Servicemen’s Association to make a presentation to the city council and they have responded and shown terrific support and passed a motion to that effect.
“I believe the other councils in the region have done likewise and there is no doubt they all think that cutting or changing the way Scottish regiments operate at a time when they are most needed is the wrong thing to do.
“What is important is saving the regimental system, not just the symbol of the regiments — it is about the whole structure.”
Colonel Murdoch added, “There will be a petition in the Murraygate tomorrow and we anticipate gathering more support from that.” |
