AIR CADET CHIEF QUITS AS TEEN CLAIM PROBED; Married dad, 36, reported to fiscal.

Byline: By Charlie Gall

THE commander of an Air Cadets Squadron has quit amid claims of a relationship with an underage girl.

Married dad Tony Kirkbright, 36, was held by police for two days over the allegations.

It is understood officers were following up claims that he was involved with a girl under 16.

Kirkbright has resigned his Air Cadets post for "personal reasons". He was commanding officer of 1990 Squadron in Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

The squadron has 20 cadets, 12 boys and eight girls. There are nine adult members, all volunteers.

An ATC spokesman said Kirkbright had been a "long-standing" member of the youth organisation.

Kirkbright was not at the family home in Ellon yesterday. Wife Faith,34, refused to comment.

Police said: "A 36-year-old male has been reported to the fiscal. That is all we would say."

Kirkbright works with air traffic control at Aberdeen Airport. A National Air Traffic Control spokesman confirmed: "A member of our staff is being investigated by police on matters unrelated to NATC activities.

"Because this is not an operational matter, it would not be appropriate to comment any further."

The Ellon ATC squadron meets twice a week at a base in the town's Neil Ross Square. A replacement commander has yet to be named.

The ATC was established in 1941. It is supported by the RAF and has almost 41,000 members.

CAPTION(S):

ARRESTED: Kirkbright