Prestwick: Scottish Government must act following US flight revelations
The Scottish Government must finally take action to block Donald Trump’s forces from using Prestwick airport, says Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie.
Patrick’s comments follow revelations from the BBC that some of the US military planes stopping at the Scottish government-owned airport were on their way to support the US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran.
Patrick said:
“In 2024 the Scottish Government made clear that Israeli military aircraft would not be serviced at Prestwick Airport.
“That makes it even more important that ministers are transparent about what role the airport may be playing when the US military aircraft passing through it are so closely linked to Israel.
“The Scottish Government must now come clean about what it knew about these flights, when it knew it, and what discussions have taken place with the UK Government or US authorities.
“If ministers were willing to take action in relation to Israeli military aircraft, they must explain why the same scrutiny and standards are not being applied to US Air Force aircraft which are potentially supporting the same military operations as Israel.
“The presence of US military aircraft potentially refuelling Israeli aircraft to launch strikes across the Middle East makes it clear that Prestwick Airport is playing a role as a staging post for military activity linked to the conflict.
"The First Minister has said he was willing to consider banning the US from using the airport, based on the evidence. He now has more than enough to act.
“Ministers must also be clear that they do in fact have the power to act. It’s not possible to argue that the Scottish Government has the authority to prevent Israeli military aircraft from using Prestwick, but that it can’t take the same action with the US military.
“Scotland deserves clarity that our infrastructure will not be used to facilitate military operations in the Middle East, and the Scottish Government must urgently set out what action it is prepared to take.”