THE Scottish Greens accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today of “ignoring” a growing scandal around discounts given to the US military by publicly owned Prestwick airport. 

Addressing Ms Sturgeon during FMQs, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “Ministers have been aware for over a year that the United States military is getting a seven-figure discount to refuel at Prestwick, an airport owned by the Scottish government on behalf of the public.

“The First Minister must stop ignoring this scandal, accept her responsibility to ensure that our public assets are not being used to support the military operations of a dangerous far-right regime, and end the relationship between Prestwick and the US military.”

But in response Ms Sturgeon said that the airport was run at “arm’s length,” an arrangement she said was “essential” for compliance with EU state aid rules.

“If we were to interfere in the running of Prestwick airport we would put in jeopardy the future operation of the airport,” she said.