Hutton slams Nato members' inaction

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In his most outspoken comments on the issue to date, Mr Hutton accused the Europeans of expecting the Americans to do all the "heavy lifting" in the fight against the Taliban.

He warned that Nato forces in the country lacked the troops to complete their mission successfully.

His intervention came as the Ministry of Defence confirmed the deaths of two more British servicemen during an operation against enemy forces north east of Gereshk in central Helmand Province.

A soldier from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and a Royal Marine from 45 Commando Royal Marines died in an explosion on Wednesday night. Next of kin have been informed.

Their deaths take the total number of British servicemen and women to die since the start of operations in Afghanistan in October 2001 to 141.

Speaking at a news conference at the Ministry of Defence in London, Mr Hutton said that it was now time for the other European members of Nato to take on their fair share of the "burden".

"It is not honest, credible or, I think, sustainable to constantly say that the Americans can do more. That is not an alliance, that is one-way traffic," he said.

"It is not right for us to go on saying the Americans can go on doing all the heavy lifting.

"Nato has to stand together. I do not believe that Nato members are currently doing that efficiently and effectively. We have got to look first and foremost to our European allies."