War heroes are to be evicted from their historic base to make way for the UK Government’s controversial plans to house asylum seekers in MoD barracks.
The Queens Own Highlanders Regimental Association, based at Cameron Barracks in Inverness, will be moved from the site as part of the Home Office’s proposal to turn it into a home for 309 single male asylum seekers by the end of the month.
The regiment, of which the late Prince Philip was the Colonel-in-Chief, was formed in 1961 through a merger of the Seaforth Highlanders and The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
It served with the British Army until 1994 when it was amalgamated to become The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons).
The Association supports regimental veterans and their families financially as well as organising social events and reunions. It has an office at Cameron Barracks which will be lost as part of the asylum plan.
Sources said that the Ministry of Defence has informed the veterans’ organisation that they’ll be moved for up to a year until a longer-term solution can be found.
The Mail on Sunday understands that the organisation has also been told to keep quiet by the MoD and not to discuss the relocation.
The revelations have sparked outrage, with the UK Labour government accused of failing to respect the history of the site and those who have served the country at war.
Scottish Tory MP and Shadow Scotland Secretary Andrew Bowie said: ‘This shows the total ignorance of this Labour government when it comes to the value they put on veterans and their associations.
‘These men and women have served their country and now their association is being made homeless as a result of the half-baked plan to rehouse asylum seekers in Cameron Barracks.
‘Labour have failed to stop the boats and, as a result, they are scrabbling around for solutions. Whilst we agree that the hotels need to close, forcibly evicting a regimental association is clearly not acceptable.’
The Queens Own Highlanders served in multiple conflicts during its 34 years, including in the Gulf War, Northern Ireland and the Falklands.
The late Prince Philip met with ex-servicemen at Cameron Barracks in 2007, while the Association has held multiple reunions at the site over the years, including the last one in 2022.
The Association said that it would hold its reunion next year in a different location as Cameron Barracks ‘may not be available’.
SNP defence spokesman and MP Dave Doogan said: ‘The bonfire taking hold within this Labour government has reached breathtaking proportions with this farcical proposition.
‘It is unbelievable that the Ministry of Defence has agreed to evict the Regimental Association from Cameron Barracks to make way for the Home Office and its shambolic asylum system.
‘This is further evidence of how poorly thought out these plans are. Communication has been dreadful and unanswered questions are piling up.’
Highland Council last week held a special meeting to discuss the Home Office’s plans, accusing the department of disrespect and a failure to consult on the proposals before announcing it to the public.
Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald, a former Second Lieutenant of the Queens Own Highlanders, has also raised concerns about the families of serving military personnel of 3 Scots battalion currently living beside the barracks.
He confronted Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander about their concerns at Westminster and later said: ‘Nothing in this meeting changed my view. Cameron Barracks is not an appropriate location to house such a large number of asylum seekers.
‘With the battalion being deployed overseas, the military families living directly behind the barracks have voiced serious concerns.
‘I have also heard from many residents concerned about the pressure this will put on already overstretched local health services. The UK Government has not done anywhere near enough to put support for our council and our health board in place.’
The Home Office refused to address The Mail on Sunday’s questions about the Regimental Association’s eviction.
A spokeswoman said that the plans to use Cameron Barracks for accommodation for asylum seekers were part of the effort to close asylum hotels.
