Mystery surrounds the death of a British soldier killed at an RAF weapons range as police bring in 30 civilian detectives to investigate the shooting and are unable to say if his death was an accident

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A British soldier has been killed during a live fire training exercise - sparking a major police investigation.

The serviceman was shot dead at RAF Tain, near Inverness, in an incident involving more than 20 military personnel.

At a press conference this afternoon, police wouldn't say if the cause of death was accidental, as they revealed that 30 detectives have been brought in to investigate.

Police Scotland are leading the investigation rather than the Royal Military Police. 

The victim, who was not local to the north of Scotland, has yet to be named. No arrests have been made, and police would not comment on whether the soldier might have fired the weapon himself. 

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Police speak to a driver as they arrive at the gate to RAF Tain, a weapons firing range, after a soldier was killed

Police speak to military personnel as they arrive at the gate to RAF Tain this morning

Police closed the surrounding roads and officers are currently at the scene investigating

A cordon has been set up around the base as authorities deal with the incident. 

The victim, whose next of kin have been informed, was a member of the Army, it was confirmed.

Chief Inspector Iain MacLelland said: 'Police Scotland can confirm that just before 6pm last night, we received a call from the Scottish Ambulance Service reporting an incident at the RAF Tain firing range involving members from the Armed Forces who were on a training exercise.

'Police along with the Scottish Ambulance Service attended there, where one person was found to be fatally injured.

'There were no other casualties as a result of this incident and their next of kin have been informed.

'Both the police and the military are providing them with support at this time and our sympathies are obviously with them in what must be an extremely difficult time for the family.

Police Scotland are leading the investigation rather than the Royal Military Police

'Police Scotland are leading the investigation to establish the full set of circumstances of this incident and we are working closely with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Health and Safety Executive, and the Armed Forces.

'I would wish to emphasise that this incident was confined to the RAF firing range at Tain, that no persons were involved other than those military personnel participating in the exercise, and at no stage was there a threat to the wider public safety.

'The nature of this incident will require a continued police presence in the area over the days ahead and we would ask for the local community's co-operation and we will continue to keep them updated.'  

The base is in the Highlands, pictured, and used by the RAF, army and NATO forces

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: 'We are aware of an incident at the Tain base, near Inverness. 

'We will release more information as and when it becomes available. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this point.' 

The base is used by several RAF squadrons as well as US and NATO forces. 

It is often used by Typhoons and Tornados from RAF Lossiemouth. 

The range is also used by the army and has a rifle range and small arms range as well as bombing ranges.  

A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Police Scotland is leading the investigation to establish the full circumstances of this incident and is working closely with the armed forces'

The incident happened around 6pm last night at RAF Tain firing range (file photo)

The range has 18 separate targets suitable for a variety of weapons and different delivery methods. 

Tain is also responsible for Cape Wrath Range near the village of Durness.

Both ranges employ a number of civilian contracted workers who manage the estate, assist in the control tower, target score and deal with ordnance clearance from the range. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: 'This is a tragic incident and my deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the person who has died.

'It is another important reminder of the often difficult and dangerous job our armed forces do every day.' 

Police are at the scene, pictured, and have set up a cordon around the site while they investigate

Theresa May used Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons to pass on her condolences to the serviceman's family.

The Prime Minster said: 'I and, I'm sure, the whole House would wish to pass on our condolences to the friends and family of the serviceman who has died at the Tain range.'

She made the comments after the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson raised the tragedy in the Commons.

He said: 'It is with sadness that we learnt of the death of a serviceman in a live firing exercise at the range in Tain, and no doubt the Prime Minister, and colleagues across this House will extend their condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the serviceman who has died so tragically.'  

One soldier has been killed during a live fire exercise at RAF Tain, pictured, in Scotland

The Ministry of Defence said it was aware of the incident at the base, pictured, but would not be commenting further at this stage

Depute leader of Highland Council, Alasdair Rhind, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that he believes the incident involved the rifle and target range.

He said: 'The police gave me a briefing late last night, letting me know about the incident and just assuring me they had everything under control and the incident wouldn't affect the general public at large.

'It's very sad to see that somebody has lost their life.'

He continued: 'Obviously we've got to let the authorities, the police and the military, carry out their investigations and I'm sure we will get further briefings from them in due course.

'I would think our community would be more concerned with the family of the person who lost their life down there and our sympathies go to that family today.

Mr Rhind said the Tain range has a 'very good safety record' and he could not recall any previous such incidents.

Following the incident, Dr Paul Monaghan MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross is writing to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon over his worries

Meanwhile, an MP says he has concerns over staff cuts which may have increased 'risks to the general public' at the RAF base.

Following the incident, Dr Paul Monaghan MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross is writing to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon over his worries.

'This death has occurred during a live firing exercise believed to have taken place during the hours of darkness. A police investigation is now underway,' said Dr Monaghan.

'This is clearly a tragedy for the family and the colleagues of the soldier involved.

'Since the year 2000, 135 deaths have taken place involving military personnel on training or on exercise. Eleven of these deaths have taken place during live fire exercises.

'Within the last few days I have received communications from the Ministry of Defence which suggests that Tain Air Weapons Range, which is classed as an academic facility, will be used in the future by the RAF, US Airforce and other Nato forces.

'There are 18 targets at RAF Tain that are targeted by bombs and by strafing. It is also now clear that the range is used by other military services for both target shooting and live fire exercises.

'I have some outstanding concerns about the management of RAF Tain and staffing reductions that appear to increase risks and reduce safety levels to the general public. It is unclear if reduced staffing levels or management practices have contributed to this tragic death.

'I will of course be writing today to the Secretary of State for Defence requesting a detailed briefing on the causes of this tragic event and the actions he will be taking to ensure RAF Tain remains safe, secure and free of risk for the general public and appropriate for military personnel.'