Swinney would 'consider' US military plane ban from Prestwick Airport

First Minister John Swinney has said he would consider banning US military aircraft from using state-owned Prestwick Airport if it was confirmed they were involved in strikes in the Middle East.

Swinney has previously said he was "concerned" by the US and Israeli action against Iran and did not believe it conformed with an "international rules-based system".

He told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg he was seeking clarity from the UK government about the role of US planes using the airport.

Pressed on a possible ban, he said: "I will consider that based on the evidence that's provided to me." The Ministry of Defence said the airport was not being used to launch military strikes.

An MoD spokesperson said: "Prestwick is a civilian International airport owned by the Scottish government and is not being used by the US to launch military strikes.

"The UK has authorised the United States to use British military bases for specific defensive missions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities which are threatening British people, bases, and our partners in the region.

"We won't be providing a running commentary on our allies' operations, including their use of our bases."

Prestwick Airport was nationalised by the Scottish government in 2013.

The majority of its flights now are cargo services but hundreds of flights in recent years have also involved the US military.

At First Minister's Questions on Thursday, the Scottish Greens said 24 US military planes had landed at the airport in the week prior to the action against Iran, representing a significant increase.

Co-leader Ross Greer accused Swinney of "sitting on his hands" and urged him to follow the example of Spain by banning them.

It was "abundantly obvious" what the latest US flights were being used for, Greer said.

Swinney was pressed on the issue by the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday.

He replied: "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."

The first minister said there were American aircraft going through Prestwick to the Middle East but he could make no judgement until he had clarity from the UK government about their purpose.

The Scottish government faced similar questions over the use of Prestwick Airport after it emerged than an Israeli air force plane had refuelled there in November 2023.

At the time, it said the airport operated on a commercial basis and at arms-length from the government, making its own operational decisions.

However, Greer claimed in the Scottish Parliament that Israeli military planes were now banned from using the airport.

In response to Swinney's interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Greer said it was welcome recognition that the first minister does have the power to block the flights.

He added: "There is frankly no need to wait till he has details on the precise missions of specific flights - information he may never get.

"If he accepts that the war is illegal, which he seems to, then he should be doing the responsible thing and blocking US forces now rather than waiting for Westminster."

The US and Israel launched widespread strikes on Iran last Saturday, targeting the country's missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during the first wave.

Iran has continued to respond by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, which have extended to non-military targets, including civilian sites and energy facilities.

The fighting has escalated quickly, pulling in Cyprus and Lebanon in recent days, with casualties and damage mounting on all sides.

The Iranian ambassador to the UN has said that at least 1,332 civilians have been killed while Lebanon's health ministry says that Israeli strikes have killed at least 217 people, and first responders in Israel say that 10 people have been killed there.

A protest against the US and Israel was held earlier in Edinburgh - a group gathered at the Mound before walking to the US consulate on Regent Terrace.

It was organised by a pro-Palestinian activist group.