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Troops duck as a helicopter takes off in Afghanistan
Troops duck as a helicopter takes off in Afghanistan

Brown ducks MPs’ fire over more troops and helicopters

Joe Murphy, Political Editor
16.07.09

Gordon Brown today refused four times to deny that the Army asked for 2,000 extra troops to fight in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister's reluctance to give a direct answer at a Commons committee hearing fuelled rumours of tensions with the most senior general, Sir Richard Dannatt.

A damning parliamentary report, meanwhile, said troops are being put in danger because of a helicopter shortage in Afghanistan. The powerful Commons defence committee said soldiers were sometimes forced to use ground transport when flying would be better for “the protection of our forces”.

Appearing before the Commons liaison committee, Mr Brown denied there were shortages of either soldiers or helicopters.

Asked about a report that Sir Richard requested the additional men, Mr Brown said: “We discussed both in committee and together a range of options and we decided on the mission we are currently engaged in. The troops that are necessary for this mission are there.”

Asked a second time, he replied: “We have got 8,150 troops there — nobody is suggesting 10,000 troops.”


His questioner, the defence committee chairman James Arbuthnot, then protested: “Forgive me, I am trying to get a Yes or a No.”

Mr Brown said again that “a variety of options was considered”. And when Mr Arbuthnot complained he was not getting an answer, the PM replied: “You are not because I am saying that we looked at a number of options.”

The exchange happened just before Mr Arbuthnot's cross-party committee said there was a “capability deficit” in the helicopter force used by the troops. It called on the Government to spend more money on new helicopters instead of a current policy of refurbishing “ageing” Sea Kings and Pumas.

General Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, angered ministers yesterday by revealing that he is being flown around Helmand province in an American Blackhawk because no British machines were available.

Mr Brown has been under mounting pressure after the deaths of 15 servicemen in the first 10 days of this month. He has stated it is “absolutely clear” that none was caused by a lack of helicopters. However, today's report by senior MPs insisted that there was a shortage and it did mean troops were put in greater danger.

“We are concerned that operational commanders in the field today are unable to undertake potentially valuable operations because of the lack of helicopters for transportation around the theatre of operations,” said the report.

Reader views (27)

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but cannot be older than 25 years old.


Jimhenry
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www.cashforclunkersfacts.info
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.info

- Jimhenry, oakpark and USA

Val Daniels: You ask that people get behind the troops, well as an ex soldier myself I agree. What through your comments you fail to understand, is that General Sir Richard is a much respected and admired man throughout the army - a "soldiers general". That you think he is a disgrace,because he is above the amateurism, incompetence and dishonesty of Brown, says a lot about your mindless allegiance,

- Wills, Soton

I thought John Major was abject but Brown is the most gutless prime minister of 20th & 21st Century.

- Edwin, beaconsfield buckinghamshire

Vals Daniels (expat, but only 6 months of the year, LOL!), once again you spout meaningless garbage.
The Defence budget was cut in the Tory years in response to the end of the cold war, during which we were geared up to repel massive Soviet invasion force.
We were maintaining a large number of overseas bases and our armed forces were many times larger than they are today (when I joined the RAF in 1981 there were 105000 of us, when I left in 98, 52000, its now around 35000).
The Tories engaged on a programme to streamline our services in line with contemporary defence reviews, which left us reasonably well equipped to perform our function.
The equipment destroyed in the Falklands War (which NuLiebour wouldn't have fought, because it was in defence of British citizens who they know only how to abandon and betray) was all replaced with a more modern equivalent, improving our capability.
The Tory defence budget did not envisage the coming to power of a war-mongering traitor like Billy Liar; it was designed to provide for our defence, not to further the imperial designs of George W Bush.
NuLiebour had a duty to ensure that our troops were properly equipped BEFORE they were sent into battle, not 8 years down the line!
Your beloved party has betrayed our soldiers, sailors and airmen and inso doing has betrayed the entire nation. They have become the most distrusted and despised government in the history of Britain, as will be demonstarted at the next general election.

- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster

#Trevor Edwards

Oh please, clever Trevor. I just wonder what sort of wealth-creating job you are in that is keeping the rest of us plebs. I'm sure we are all suitably grateful for your efforts on our behalf. I doubt the amount of tax I have paid for more than 50 years counts for very much in the scheme of things, pretty much the same as yours really.

#Keith Lonsdale

And maybe if we had had proper armed troop carriers in the Falklands instead of having to rely on the civilian Atlantic Conveyor and a cruise ship, fewer troops and sailors might have been killed. Life is made up of 'if onlys', Keith.

- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain

Never has a British government and it's politicians been so discredited and hated. Never has a British Prime Minister been so loathed and repugnant to its people.

- Scuzzi5, blac, England

Using percentage figures to answer a question is another lie from the Prime Minister.He might as well say we have 5 helicopters and increased the number by 60pct ie now we have 8 helicopters. Wonderful manipulation of figures by the biggest fibber in the business1

- Tony Johnson, Hythe UK

I'm just a little lost here,

Gordo drives around the UK in an armoured saloon car resistant to bullets, grenades and bombs, indeed he is so scared of meeting the public that he is inacapable of walking from No 10 to the Palace of Westminster.

Yet he says, that the dearth of choppers in Helmand is perfectly AOK, and that troops can drive around a very hostile terrain in inadequately armoured vehicles, suffering casualties from IED's.

I do think that Gordo has lost the plot, having painted himself into a corner, he has become wedded to an untenable point of view that flies in the face of the facts. Afterall, Dannatt thought the situation so fluid that he made his inspection visit courtesy of a U.S. helo.

Perhaps Gordo would like to pay the troops a visit and use a vehicle to visit the various bases and their garrisons.

Time to go Gordo, its too late for a reality check, and if St Tony of B-Liar becomes EU President you'll be second dog all over again.

- Penfold, London, U.K.

Is anyone suprised that Brown refuses to answer a straightforward question. If there is any possibility of him being incriminated by an answer to any question he will avoid or fudge the answer. Not just Afghanistan but the economy the health service , crime or any other subject where he is likely to be found out. Do Labour MP's not realise that for every day Brown remains prime minister more crushing an electoral defeat will become.

- Robin Brittain, Wolverhampton UK

Gordon Brown, as Chancellor, squandered billions of pounds on creating the culture of dependancy, which was his political adgenda, at the expense of our armed forces, who in his agenda were clearly far from a priority. Now as Prime Minister his devious policies as chancellor have been exposed for the cynical waste of this countries wealth creators, those of us who work with pride and dilligence in the real world of the private sector, thanks to him having to send increasing numbers of brave men and women, to fight a neccesary war, but using old, out dated, and refurbished equipment.
An American President, would face impeachment for such a callous act of calculated stupidity.

- Trevor Edwards, London England

When is somebody going to accept the fact that the Defence Budget was cut year on year in real terms from 1985 to 1997 under the Conservatives. The Tories couldn't even replace the ships lost in the Falklands. It was the Labour Government in 1997 who increased the Defence Budget and who have increased it in every year since. This point was made at PMQs yesterday, but not one newspaper chose to pick it up. Believe it, because it's true. If you want confirmation, you'll find it on Google. Gen Dannet's replacement has said himself that the services are better equipped now than they have ever been. Gen Dannet is suffering a severe case of sour grapes because his term as Head of the Armed Forces wasn't extended. Now we can all see why. He is an absolute disgrace. He, of all people, should be showing support and loyalty instead of constantly abusing his position. He doesn't have to provide the money. The Conservatives have refused to ringfence the Defence budget, so things will be no different if they win the election. People should get behind the government and our service people. Do you honestly believe it is in the interests of Gordon Brown to see body bags being brought back on a regular basis. You don't buy helicopters at Argos. They take time to come on stream. David Davis said on tv it was the procurement that was the problem; that's true but the helicopters were procured under the Tories, it was they who messed up in their ordering, not the government.

- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain

Listen, i'm tired of hearing stupid people say that the lack of helicopters is not the problem. IT IS. As the Army has very few helicopters it has to travel by road which means increasing risk to IEDs - fact.

Brown knows this and yet has done nothing, he cut the helicopter budget, he has done nothing as PM or Chancellor for the forces. He doesn't care and quite frankly the sooner he goes the better.

Our men and women are dying over there and reels off these stats like he's some kind of weasle trying to cover his back. Its pathetic.

Buy more new helicopters and now, no more excuses!

- Mark, London

We need an election NOW and then maybe we can get rid of this utterley imcompetent Govt. Brown and Co don't give a damn about our troops out there in Hell's land, instead of Mr and Mrs BROON! standing there waving pink flags for the gay sector, they should be there at Wooton Basset at the very least to honor our brave arriving back home in those bloody awfull hearst's, those troops should be arriving back to cheers instead. SHAME AND MORE SHAME ON YOU LABOUR GOVT.

- Annie, Devon

Mr Brown ought to hold his head in shame. Its absolutely disgusting that he attempts to squirm away from the fact that our men are losing their lives due to the lack of equipment. Our troops are forced to use snatch & grab Land Rovers which are perfectly good vehicles for the job they were designed to do. The simple fact is, they are not designed to withstand the blast of IED's. Mr Brown bailed out a 'few' financial establishments, he 'found' the money for that. He should stand up & take it like a man & admit, yes we are wrong. Yes, we will provide what is neccessary to protect our troops. It isn't just this government that has lead to the attrocious state of neglect our armed forces have to deal with. It has been a succession of governments over the last 30 years. Either put it right or admit defeat & pull our troops out.

- Mick, Sheffield UK

This cretin Brown does not know a lie from the truth. The truth is he has caused the death of soldiers in both conflicts there is no doubt about it, everything wrong with the uk all roads lead to Brown

- Rob, Rock Ferry Wirral

Brown and his like should suffer the same fate as those 8 soldiers whose deaths he caused. Blood is dripping from his hands.

- Roy Lewis, United Kingdom

it sickens me when i see brown refusing to give a straight answer to a question, his spouting of a 60% increase in helicopters is an insult to the people of this country and our troops, i wonder if his son or daughter was in the front line fighting would he think the same, there's absolutely nothing i can think of that brown has done right, the whole country is beginning to look like a 3rd world country, brown's massive tax increases over the last 12 years have accomplished nothing

- Scouser, liverpool

Brown can run, but he can't hide from the truth, and all will be revealed when the votes are counted at the next General Election. Bring it on!

- Ted, London

Gordon Brown and the rest of the Labourt Government are nothing short of MURDERERS You should not sleep at night CALL AN ELECTION NOW

- Roz, Durham UK

Seem to recall we have some 11 helicopters in a hanger somewhere, the MOD kept altering the specification during the construction, the equipment can not be fitted. Another B'''''p. Good old MOD.

- Shallotman, Basildon

Always money for second homes, phantom mortgages, plasma t.v.s & my personal favourite a duck house!

Yet they penny pinch on equipment needed for British Troops! makes my blood boil!

- Chrism, London

Maybe "Air Miles Andy" can lend his helocopter to Our Boys ?

- Grim Reaper, Hell

"Army short of helicopters but that hasn't cost lives, say MPs"- Let's be clear that it is only NuLiebour MPs and one LibDem has-been that are saying this.
There is no doubt whatsoever that incresed airlift capability would NOT have prevented the deaths of some of our soldiers, but it is equally true that it may have saved some.
Gormless Clown, vainglorious liar, is being questioned by the Defence Select Committee as I type this. He has refused to answer their questions about helicopter numbers, claiming that he has been advised not to reveal those numbers. This is despite the fact that these numbers were publicly advertised in the Commons yesterday, when he was being hammered by Cameron and Clegg.
So, who has given him this "security advice", senior military officers, or a Downing street spinmeister trying to help him avoid digging an even bigger hole for himself? I know which one my money is on.
McBroon repeatedly tells us thst he is doing everything he can and that our troops have the equipment they need. If that is true, why is he claiming to be sending more? Because he's a liar! He tells us that the delay is due to helicopters being adapted for use in Afghanistan and the crews being trained. This is undoubtedly true, but we have been fighting an escalating campaign in Afghanistan for 8 years! Why hasn't this been done sooner?
Gen Dannatt's assessment is very different from NuLiebour's; they can't both be right. The choice of who to believe is obvious.

- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster

Maybe if the front bench spent their long summer break in Afghanistan !

- Shallotman, Basildon

It has been obvious for several years this government have failed to give the armed forces the resources they need to do the job both in Iraq and Afghanistan. When Blair was PM he actually stated to the astonishment of the army that if the commanders asked for more helicopters they would get them. They have asked and have not received. Because of the budget cuts over the years aircrew numbers have declined which means we have helicopters wasting away in storage. Yet Blair and Brown
commit the armed forces to wars. They undoubtedly have blood on their hands. Let's be absolutely clear. Many deaths were due to a shortage of helicopters. Lack of helicopters also has severely reduced the tactical ability of our forces to manoeuvre, leading to yet more deaths. Lack of boots on the ground has posed a major constraint on commanders to do the job. Send them to the traitors gate!

- Ralph, London, England

Helicopters did NOT cause the deaths of our brave soldiers Brown. It was the LACK of them and the wrong sort. Where are the Apache's the lads need?

- Albert Hall, hove england

"In the Commons yesterday Mr Brown said it was "absolutely clear" the heavy loss of life last week in Helmand was not due to a lack of helicopters."

Yes Brown, THESE deaths, what about all the others who have died because there were no helicopters for transportation and so road vehicles HAD to be used.

You have blood on your hands Brown and the usual lies won't wash.

- Swiss Bob, Gen, Switz


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