MICHAEL SETTLE,
Chief UK Political Correspondent
Glasgow Herald
June 23 2005
THE Prince of Wales yesterday publicly praised the Army's "unique" regimental system in what was seen by some as a thinly-veiled swipe at the government's controversial decision to scrap Scotland's historic regiments.
Prince Charles, who is colonel-in-chief of the Black Watch and deputy colonel-in-chief of the Highlanders, made his remarks as he honoured second world war veterans. He spoke of soldiers taking risks on behalf of "their regiment and unit".
Many of the veterans have been among the most vociferous opponents of the government's plan to scrap Scotland's six historic regiments and merge them into a single "super-regiment" with a common tartan and cap badge.
Critics argue the move will wipe out 300 years of tradition, but the government insists it is necessary to help make the Army a modern, fighting force.
Accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, Charles was guest of honour at a reception in Edinburgh Castle to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war, when he expressed strong support for the armed forces and the regiments they are composed of.
After greeting veterans at the castle's Great Hall, the prince said he often spoke to soldiers recently returned from service in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I am so proud that people are still prepared to put their lives on the line and perform the most extraordinary heroic acts. We don't hear enough about the extraordinary things people are doing all around the globe.
"So often people are taking these risks first of all on behalf of their mates and their regiment and unit. We must never forget that. It's this human factor, the family element, that is so vital to our regimental system."
Prince Charles added that the regimental system was envied by many and expressed hope that some way could be found of bringing "the best of the old and the new" together in the future.
Jeff Duncan, of the Save the Scottish Regiments Campaign, said: "It would seem Prince Charles is saying to John Reid, Adam Ingram, and Tony Blair: 'You are deconstructing something very special which has served this country extremely well for a very long time and putting in its place something unwanted, untested, and unnecessary'."
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He stressed that, for almost a year now, campaigners, soldiers, MPs and MSPs had been calling for a halt to the proposed regimental merger. "Our future monarch certainly seems to think the same," added Mr Duncan.
Colonel Martin Gibson, chief executive of Erskine Hospital, which cares for ex-servicemen and women, said he was heartened by the royal remarks. "The prince spoke from the heart on behalf of the veterans. They have given us so much and it is very difficult for any soldier, but particularly them, to see regiments being amalgamated."
Last night, Clarence House denied the prince had criticised government policy in any way. A spokeswoman said: "He did not make any comment on the government's proposal. What the prince was talking about to the veterans was to reflect his admiration and support for the great work the armed forces do and the sacrifices they make.
"He did not make any comments about the future of the regiments. He was simply stating his support for the armed forces."
During the many months of campaigning to save the regiments, Charles has, as protocol dictates, stayed out of the public argument. Last August, campaigners wrote to him to urge him to use his influence to save the Scottish regiments but there was no apparent response.
Senior officers have already admitted would-be Scottish Army recruits are failing to sign up because they cannot be guaranteed a place in their local regiments under the military restructuring plans announced last year.
One of the latest developments on the issue concerns the future of the regimental museums. Ministers have denied claims they have plans to scrap them.
Mr Ingram, the armed forces minister, has told MPs a survey of all of the Army's regimental headquarters and attached museums is to be carried out by the end of the year as part of a rationalisation of Ministry of Defence property.
His colleague, Lord Drayson, told peers the issue being considered is where the Scottish regimental museums and headquarters should be located. "In some cases, they are co-located with headquarters, in others, they are geographically separate. The question is, with the coming together of battalions into the new regiment, where is the best place for the headquarters to be located."
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