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Labour ‘bid to smear’ Army chief who speaks for troops
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor19 Aug 2009
Labour was accused of using “fear and smear” to attack the chief of the Army today as he again pleaded for more equipment for Afghanistan.
The Tories hit out after it was claimed that Labour MPs were trying to expose how much public money was spent by General Sir Richard Dannatt on wining and dining guests at his official residence in Kensington Palace.
The Freedom of Information requests have been tabled to unearth the “entertainment” costs incurred by the Head of the Army just days before he quits later this month. The row took place as Gen Dannatt again underlined his calls for more resources for troops, claiming that better surveillance equipment was vital to targeting the Taliban laying roadside bombs.
Suspicions that Labour is waging a behind-the-scenes briefing war against the Military Cross-winning general were fuelled when it emerged that one unnamed defence minister had recently described Sir Richard as a “complete bastard”. Labour researchers are believed to have submitted the FoI requests for details of the cost of the general's business entertaining at his apartment, the former home of the Princess of Wales.
Sir Richard came under attack last year when it was revealed that he was living in the Kensington home at a time when soldiers were complaining about their own dilapidated accommodation.
Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: “Labour has now become the government of fear and smear. Whilst suppressing reports of their own incompetence, they attempt to undermine the reputation of one of our most distinguished generals.
“At a time when our soldiers are dying in Afghanistan, ministers spend their time in puerile personality politics.
“General Dannatt is a man of honour and integrity who leads from the front. His Labour detractors are squalid and cowardly, undermining from the shadows.”
The Tories called on the Prime Minister to investigate the smear allegations and to get a grip on any ministers briefing against military chiefs.
Former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Guthrie said: “This is ghastly spin, the sort of behaviour you expect from the gutter. Richard Dannatt is beyond reproach. This is beneath contempt.”
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman today told the Standard: “There is no smear campaign against Sir Richard within the MoD.”
Meanwhile Britons were warned to expect more troop deaths in Afghanistan on the eve of the elections.
Colonel Stuart Tootal, former commander of 3 Para, said it was a “sad inevitability” that there would be more losses.
He urged the Government to ensure there was a “coherent and properly resourced strategy”.
His warning came after tributes were paid to two soldiers who died trying to save an injured friend and yet more of the 204 British troops killed since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 were flown home.
Yesterday eight people, including Nato staff, were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a convoy near a military base in Kabul. Dozens more were injured.
Reader views (44)
I am just wondering when you folks over there are going say enough is enough? Your pols are just as bad as ours over here, their moral compass's are so screwded up I am surprise they can even find the parking lot. Can you Queen disolve Parliment and start from scratch?
- Greg L, Lake Vermillion, MN USA, 20/08/2009 19:50
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Since the MPs expenses scandal, there has been a lot of talk on message boards about revolution and now someone here has mentioned a military coup. It's all frivolous nonsense of course but there are serious reasons while people, particularly middle-class, 'middle-England' sort of people are talking like this.
We have such a (literally) bankrupt, dishonest and incompetent government that its very legitimacy is called into question. We have in Cameron such a trendy, bendy, flabby opposition leader that many people feel voiceless.
And we have a brave under-resourced army fighting a conflict which history suggests is going to be difficult to win.
The outcome of all this is that the General Staff is becoming the new opposition. As a result, serious issues are emerging in the way the military is being forced to fill the vacuum that stands in place of proper political debate about the place of the armed services in society and how they are treated. That is happening because of the collective failure of our politicians.
Coups apart, the sense of an impending constitutional and political whirlwind is very real.
- Peter, London, 20/08/2009 10:50
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Keith Price, Luton England
I suggest you establish some basis of fact before posting such utter drivel in future regarding the poor quantities and quality of equipment the British army are facing.
Rather than support the New Labour mandarins, why not ask yourself, based on your own assertions that the country cannot afford to equip the army adequately, as to why Tony Bliar took Britain to war in Afghanistan in the first place and why Gordon Brown, as unelected PM, continues to do so against the will of the people ?
If Britain cannot afford to fightm they should not be there ?
- John, Twickenham, 20/08/2009 07:42
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The Labour Party are a bunch of anti British ultra left communists (to put it lighlty).
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 20/08/2009 02:30
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There was ever only one single officer I had any respect and liking for during my army career, the rest were just a bunch of bumbling up themselves idiots. However this Dickie Dannatt certainly looks like the real goods and I would give of my best to serve this type of officer, one who puts the soldier first and then worries about the political ramifications.
- Len, Perth Australia, 20/08/2009 02:06
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sam - your question who are the 25% who vote for labour - bear in mind the large numbers of people who are on long term benifit's and the large numbers in the public sector -its called labours 'client state'
- Pete, brighton, 19/08/2009 22:14
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the army has hated labour since it came to power and smashed it beyond repair, throwing away proud units, military hospitals and reducing the TA to ineffectivness so they could waste the savings on inefficient health and education policies, the PC politics ensured that few MP's with military knowledge got anywhere near the mod the fact that they had the gaul to install a part time defence minister proves how little respect was given. new labour has hated the mod since bosnia when the spin doctors were constantly trying to undermine gen jackson who told them to get lost. the result was the army lost its press officers so the generals have no choice but to speak out which gen dannet has been doing for years now, the cowards are those at the front toeing the line to make sure they can carry on up the ladder without any fuss. its no coincidence that the only ones speaking out are all ex army now. the army was promised what it needed to do its job but the treasury hasnt delivered. my brother runs logistics patrols and on average 25-40% of the vehicles have to be towed back to camp due to breakdown not ieds. a poor state of affairs.
- Dave C, Gloucester, UK, 19/08/2009 21:53
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Im still staggered that some 27% of the public would still vote for this corrupt , inept scandalous NuLab party at the next election..!!! who are these peeps???
- Sam, North London, UK, 19/08/2009 16:45
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We need a revolution NOW to get rid of ghastly,corrupt, lying,cowardly government."
Precisely what the Liberals and Labour thought, said and then did to oust Thatcher
- Keith Price, Luton England, 19/08/2009 16:45
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General Dannatt should stand against G. Brown in the next election - Dannatt for PM!!!
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties, 19/08/2009 16:13
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Is this the same General who, not wanting to jepoardise his career or his command, said nothing about equipment deficiencies until the dying days of his command? Was this not an issue a year, or two ago? Had he not the anticipatory power to assume this? I don't doubt the veracity of his comments, but I do question the timing. Had he complained earlier, he might have forced concessions from the government earlier and saved the lives of a few more troops. Our troops deserve someone who is bold enough to speak up for them at any point during their command - even if it compromises their professional future.
- Michael, Chicago, USA, 19/08/2009 16:13
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It would be interesting to hear from those requesting the information about his expenses, just why it was that they thought this necessary....
- Rogan, Irving, 19/08/2009 16:13
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This disreputable Government should hang their heads in shame. If only we had the likes of Gen.Dannett,Col.Tim Collins etc. in charge of the MOD, instead of these incompetents.
- Anne Riddle, Leyburn England, 19/08/2009 15:59
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Our troops are out there to be "culled",while at home,the country becomes less and less recognisable every day.
Why would the government give them better equipment?
Less of our fine young people would be fed into the meat grinder and murdered,that would be no good for nulabour.
The General better watch his step.They may put the Dr.David Kelley pressure on him.Hopefully,he is made of sterner stuff,being a soldier.
An election,blimey.Can anyone remember how to vote?
- Jimfred, London UK, 19/08/2009 15:28
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The best response to this latest low life caper from Nu labor is to wipe them out completely at the next election. Let them find out just how hard it is to earn a living in the real world without 2nd home allowances and "expenses"!!
- James Macleod Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, 19/08/2009 15:12
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We need a revolution NOW to get rid of ghastly,corrupt, lying,cowardly government. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen in our green and pleasant(NOT) land. Another nine months of misery then hopefully this country will start on the road to recovery.
- Laura, Caterham, 19/08/2009 15:07
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The last days of the failed UNELECTED government...
- Peteo, London, 19/08/2009 14:57
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I hate this govenment and all they've done to this country and it's people!
- Colin, London, 19/08/2009 14:56
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Nu Labor has to go. Bibi un-elected Bean Brown!!
- Moy, London, 19/08/2009 14:38
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There is NO bottomless pit of new equoment. The forces have to carry on fighting with what the country can afford. As for his expenses - if he has exceeded what hw is allowed to claim, he should be punished or resign, just as the Tory MPs had to do
- Keith Price, Luton England, 19/08/2009 14:37
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Why be surprised at Labour gutter politics. Labour came out of the gutter
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi, 19/08/2009 14:34
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Perhaps Gordon will tell us how much of our money he spent entertaining Derek Draper or Davina MaCall at Chequers. These are obviously some of the most important people to Gordon in the Country.
It is second nature for Labour to smear anyone who disagrees with them - its so much easier than making a reasoned case.
- David Burns, Beckenham, 19/08/2009 14:23
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No point in calling for Brown to get a grip on this and stop the infighting. He has never had a grip on anything but his own self-interest.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 19/08/2009 14:23
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New Labour smearing an army General who dared to speak the truth about Ainsworth's inadequate supplies and helicopters for our boys in Afghanistan? Well, would one expect anything else from Brown and his bunch of halfwits, chancers and charlatans?
- Ted, London, 19/08/2009 13:28
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Just what are we doing over there?
The General probably thinks the same and he is just doing his job by asking for what he needs for his men to do the job.
- Mark Russell, Poiteirs, France, 19/08/2009 13:19
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In other countries it would be time for a military coup!
At least we have a General Election in a few months time, although I would not put it past Brown Mandelson to engineer some sort of "political emergency" to suspend the General Election then we might have a military coup!
- Stephen, Plymouth, 19/08/2009 13:17
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This is what Nu Labour does instead of trying to make Britain happy and healthy. Anybody who expected anything better of Mandelspin and Puppet Brown needs their head read.
- St, London, 19/08/2009 12:45
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The real smear campaign should be against G Broon and his incompetent cohorts. It appears to me that can waste loads of money on all sorts of thngs but not give sufficient resources to our Army. Labour have done more to dent our pride in being British and treating our troops as second class citizens who are puting their lives on the line for a very obscure cause.
- Strongbow Sullivan, Paris,France., 19/08/2009 12:37
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They make you sick don't they
- Christian Ball, London, UK, 19/08/2009 12:31
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Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark
How many troops have your country sent?
Fact this is not a war as we have no end game.
- Ge, Cornwall, 19/08/2009 12:27
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I would have thought that of the amount was reasonable, it would not be a smear for it to be revealed.
So how much does he spend on food?
- Intrigued, London, 19/08/2009 12:25
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This bunch of pretend-politicians hate their follies being brought into the public arena and we have already witnessed the revenge they have exacted on whistleblowers.
There is not one member of the cabinet with any military experience yet they are stupid and conceited enough to believe that they know better than the experts on military matters.
I am ashamed of my fellow countryman, Gordon Brown, who has proved himself to be a man without morals. He is only interested in the battle to maintain his power rather than the battles involving the troops, for whom he has the ultimate reponsibility.
Unfortunately for all of us, Brown's ego is far bigger than his moral compass!
- Scotty, Cambridge UK, 19/08/2009 12:17
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"A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "There is no smear campaign against Sir Richard within the MoD.""
So there we have it. Confirmation that a smear campaign exists - but not within the MoD. Who might be the originator, then?
- Chuck Unsworth, London, 19/08/2009 12:14
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Gordon Brown should certainly get a grip but by establishing and heading an effective war cabinet to run Britain's contribution to this campaign. But he must also give his full support to our troops by using the word 'war', clearly and repeatedly. War is what our troops are experiencing and that must be acknowledged by the government with all the expectations for commitment and resourcing that the term involves
- Peter Haldane, London, 19/08/2009 12:02
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This government is not only the most incompetent and the most devious we have ever had, it is leaderless. As such, it is prone to in-fighting with members jockeying for position, while the country goes from bad to worse in practically every aspect of life. If it's true that MPs and/or ministers are now briefing against General Dannatt, it has reached a new low and it will almost certainly backfire, as everyone knows that these self-serving politicians, with practically no experience of anything, let alone armed combat, are not fit to wipe the General's boots. And the only purpose of such briefing must be to deflect attention from their own shortcomings.
- John, Richmond, 19/08/2009 11:53
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"A total of 204 soldiers have died since 2001 - 25 since the start of July"
190 since 2006.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County, 19/08/2009 11:52
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Sir Richard has a real job which he does brilliantly unlike the useless parasitical hypocrites who are trying to stab him in the back. The complete lack of good leadership and management by this government on all matters, including waging war in Iraq and Afghanistan has to be offset by the likes of Sir Richard when it impinges on the military morale and efficiency.
- Ralph, London, England, 19/08/2009 11:40
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All service peoples expenses are spelt out in various instruction booklets etc. I think we should ask the big question "What the blazes are we doing in Afghanistan".
There are billions of cash being pumped in of our taxpayers money. What are we getting back? Blair/Brown got us into this. When the Defence Secretary is 21 out of 24 in the pecking order in a cabinet during a war it just shows how much they rate our soldiers.No give me General Dannatt rather the Brown and Ainsworth any time.
- Jim, London, 19/08/2009 11:32
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Why am I not surprised.
- Shallotman, Basildon, 19/08/2009 11:20
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Labour smear somebody that disagrees with them, never, how could you suggest such a thing.
The smear is in the post
- Steve M, London, 19/08/2009 11:02
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If there is any such briefing against General Dannatt, then it will be yet another example of Gordon Brown's 'moral compass'. Only a weak and useless government indulges in such pathetic playground tactics.
This extraordinarily poor prime minister doesn't know his north from his south but he is surely going west at the next election. I can't wait to cast my vote.
A minister calls the general a "complete b******". Ask Tommy Atkins, minister - ask the soldiers for their view. I'd rather a General Dannatt in any scrap than a whole batallion of this lot of embarrassing and hopeless Labour ministers. I'd rather one Tommy indeed, than this MFI cabinet.
I would love to sit in on a frank discussion between General Dannatt and Gordon Brown. Seeing the PM's face wobble as he dissembles would be so telling. Moral compass indeed. The last three letters of compass more like.
For the sake of the country, Gordon Brown must go sooner than later. Let's hope General Dannatt speaks out loud and clear, often too, for the outgoing CGS most certainly seems to have a moral compass. Dannatt gets my vote. Brown is toast.
- Lester May, London, 19/08/2009 10:43
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If you are in the armed forces then I suggest you don't get injured in Afghanistan or any other 'stan come to that, Labour will sue you to recover medical costs.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 19/08/2009 10:34
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After all war is politics by other means...
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark, 19/08/2009 10:25
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This government has blood on its hands, through its incompetance and natural distrust of the armed forces, and now it seeks to stoop even lower.
Gordon Brown, Ainsworth, etc are not even fit to polish Dannatt's shoes.
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties, 19/08/2009 10:22
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