Instead the former regular British Army major argued that the force provides youngsters, especially those from poor backgrounds, with discipline and leadership skills.
Mr Salmond, the Aberdeenshire East MSP, made clear he did not want to speak to the Telegraph about the “cannon fodder” comment or the positive reasons why he had invited the cadets to the Scottish Parliament.
In his pep talk to them, the former SNP leader said his 2011 re-election campaign message focusing on the SNP’s “team, record and vision” had been inspired by the military. He showed them a display of portraits of all five First Ministers since devolution started in 1999, including himself.
Mr Brown, a Falklands War veteran, also welcomed the group to Holyrood. They were from The Highlanders, 2nd Bn the Army Cadet Force, which is based in Boddam, Aberdeenshire.
Also present were air cadets from the 2180 (Galashiels) and 870 (Dreghorn) Squadrons. The row earlier this week surrounded whether units should be set up in Scotland’s state schools.
Julian Brazier, the Defence Minister charged with Armed Forces recruitment, wrote to the Scottish Government arguing the move would benefit youngsters in deprived areas.
But the Scottish Government reacted with hostility to the call and a senior SNP government source was quoted in the Nationalist-supporting Sunday Herald as stating: “There’s no way we’re having this cannon fodder scheme in schools.
“It’s back to the days of General Wolfe and ‘No great mischief if they fall’”. This refers to Major General James Wolfe’s callous reaction to the death of Highlanders enlisted in Britain’s efforts to wrestle Canada from France during the 18th Century.
The article appeared to come from the higher echelons of the Scottish Government as it included the contents of Ms Campbell’s private reply to Mr Brazier.
Mr Sturgeon immediately disowned the slur but she faced calls from Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, and David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, to take action against the culprit.
Leslie Evans, Scotland’s most senior civil servant, then issued a warning to all the First Minister’s media spokesmen not to make over-the-top remarks that misrepresent her views. Many of Ms Sturgeon’s special advisers in political communications also served under Mr Salmond.
Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/579309/s/4d0c26be/sc/13/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cnews0Cpolitics0CSNP0C121140A0A30CAlex0ESalmond0Egives0Ewarm0Ewelcome0Eto0Ecadets0Eafter0Ecannon0Efodder0Eslur0Bhtml/story01.htm