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Swinney would 'consider' US military plane ban from Prestwick Airport
John Swinney may ban US military flights at Prestwick Airport amid concerns over 24 flights linked to Middle East strikes, pending UK government clarity on their role.
- Speaking to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Swinney said he is seeking UK Government clarity about US flights at Prestwick and 'I will consider that based on the evidence that's provided to me.'
- The Scottish Greens say 24 US military planes landed at Prestwick in the week before the action against Iran, and Prestwick Airport was nationalised by the Scottish government in 2013, with hundreds of US military flights in recent years.
- Swinney said he lacks the authority to scrutinise flights, noting airport bosses decide operational bans and the MoD usually grants permission, with the media contacting the MoD for comment.
- Amid criticism, opponents warned about Prestwick's economic importance as Ross Greer accused John Swinney of 'sitting on his hands' and Murdo Fraser called his actions grandstanding.
- On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended his initial decision not to allow US access to UK bases, and government sources say they have no information on recent aircraft being involved in operations against Iran.
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Scotland could ban US from using airport for strikes - Swinney
“[The war with Iran] is incompatible with the international rules based system” Scottish FM John Swinney says bases should be used for defence #BBCLauraK pic.twitter.com/E4iTXBFK6Q — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 8, 2026 The post Scotland could ban US from using airport for strikes – Swinney appeared first on Conservative Home.
John Swinney accused of putting UK's 'special relationship' with US in peril over use of Scottish airport for Iran war
John Swinney has been accused of putting the relationship with the US under threat after he suggested he would "consider" banning US military planes from a key Scottish airport.The First Minister said US military aircraft could be banned from using Glasgow Prestwick Airport by if it was confirmed they were involved in strikes in the Middle East.Mr Swinney said he was seeking clarity from Westminster about US planes using the Scottish Government-…
John Swinney urged to get 'on with day job' as he u-turns on Prestwick Airport
The First Minister has insisted for weeks that he can't outright ban the US military from using the Ayrshire airport but has now told a UK-wide BBC audience that he would look into this if it it was used in the attack on Iran.
John Swinney would 'consider' banning US military planes from Prestwick Airport
"We're seeking clarity from the United Kingdom government about the purpose of American flights that are coming in and out of Prestwick, but we don't have the ability to scrutinise those flights."
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