THE public backlash over the shock closure of Knox Academy's Combined Cadet Force has provoked a finger-pointing blame game between those believed to be responsible. As previously reported in the Courier, the December closure of the century-old unit - the last state school CCF in Scotland - caused outrage among ex-cadets, current members and the local community, including East Lothian Provost Sheena Richardson, an ex-pupil who also taught at the Haddington school. Initially, angry cadets laid the blame squarely with Knox headteacher Janis Craig, who was believed to have made the final decision on the unit.

However, Following talks with Ms Craig on Tuesday Haddington councillor Mrs Richardson told the Courier that it was now her understanding that army officials had initiated the move because they didn't want to continue under the force's present terms.

Yet both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Lowland Reserve Force and Cadet Association (LRFCA) say the decision was ultimately down to the headteacher.

The cadet force was run by Knox Academy but with backing from the MoD, which provided vital equipment such as uniforms, weapons, ammunition and various activities, which Mrs Richardson claimed the force could not carry on without.

"Fundamentally this whole problem has been sparked by the Army, and in their wisdom they have decided that the Knox Cadet Force can't continue under its present terms," claimed the provost.

"What they say is the deal breaker is having guns on the school campus and the officials are adamant that that is not acceptable in a public school campus. That's the main issue I think that both sides would agree on.

"The army also believes that the headteacher should be a CCF officer, and that isn't part of Janis's duties as a headteacher in a local authority school. It isn't an acceptable demand, so that's where we have difficulties." But deputy chief executive of the LRFCA Michael Knox said: "That is not absolutely accurate; the onus on whether there's a CCF in a school lies wholly with the headteacher and if the headteacher is keen to have one they have to sign up to a certain number of things to ensure that it happens.

"The decision was left with the headteacher and if she was able to provide the necessary backing to the CCF then the MoD was very keen to continue, because government policy is to increase CCFs, particularly in state schools.

"The army has no concerns about the presence of guns on school grounds. As long as the requirements for safeguarding the weapons are maintained, then weapons are very much part of cadet activities so that from an MoD point of view isn't an issue." In a statement announcing the closure, the possibility of establishing an Army Cadet Force (ACF) in Haddington was put forward as an alternative to the school unit - an idea fiercely opposed by cadets.

They claim that the community-based detachment would not provide the "protective, school environment" created by the CCF and would offer a "very different ethos" from the school force.

Traditionally, ACFs, run by volunteers, were seen as preparation for the ranks whereas CCFs were considered a route to a military commission.

An online petition against the unit's closure has amassed more than 170 signatures, and a Facebook page dedicated to the cause has managed to attract almost 700 members.

The decision to close the institution has been branded "appalling" by its supporters.

Mrs Richardson is now leading calls by Haddington Community Council members to fight the disbandment of the Knox CCF and has vowed to hold a public meeting to try and revive the school unit in the "very near future".

Speaking at a community council meeting last Tuesday, Mrs Richardson reflected the mood of members by stating: "This is something we should fight." She asked for the backing of the community council and vice-chairperson Bob Oliver, who chaired the meeting, said: "I see this as preventing education which is something the school should not be considering."