by Mike LaycockA RETIRED army major claims the Ministry of Defence is prepared to betray York by closing its army HQ - to placate the Scots.

Ken Beavan has revealed that the divisional headquarters at Imphal Barracks faced possible closure once before, but fought off the threat.

Mr Beavan, a former Tory city councillor and Imphal employee, spoke out in support of the Evening Press campaign to keep the HQ, and more than 200 jobs, in York, rather than moving it to Edinburgh as part of a merger plan.

"Having served 17 years in that HQ, both in uniformed and in retired capacities, I find it utterly distressing to see the 2,000-year ties between the city and army threatened for such spurious reasons," he said.

"The case for retaining the HQ in York for military, geographic and economic reasons is both obvious and compelling," he claimed. "What is so insulting, if not tragic, is that the proposed move to Edinburgh should be for political rather than practical or logical reasons.

"The MoD, under its very Scottish Secretary of State, is plainly intent on placating pressure from the lobby north of the border to acquire a military HQ of what they regard as "appropriate" status.

"This can only be achieved by sacrificing the interests of York and the North of England."

He said that York had been in danger of losing the HQ in the early 1990s, possibly to Colchester, when the former North East district was scrapped to create the Eastern District, but the threat was fought off internally.

Mr Beavan said he suggested at that time that one of the City of York flags should be flown outside the HQ to demonstrate and formalise the army's commitment to the city.

It was hoisted and has flown there ever since, along with the Union and divisional flags.

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