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The death toll of British forces in Afghanistan hit 220 today as Gordon Brown was accused by a former general of leaving troops to fight with “part of one arm” tied behind their back.
General Sir Richard Dannatt, who retired as head of the Army in August, confirmed suspicions that a plea for 2,000 extra troops had been rejected this year.
It came as the Ministry of Defence said that a soldier from 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards was killed in southern Afghanistan yesterday morning. The soldier, who has not been named, was on foot patrol near Nad Ali in central Helmand when he was caught in an explosion. Next-of-kin have been informed.
Downing Street has repeatedly denied that the Prime Minister rejected requests for reinforcements. But General Dannatt said in an interview today: “Military advice has been for an uplift since the beginning of 2009.
“If you're going to conduct an operation, you're doing it for a reason: to succeed. Don't let's do it with at least part of one arm tied behind one's back.”
He added: “If the military says we need more troops and we can supply them, then frankly they should take that advice.”
There are about 9,000 UK troops in Afghanistan as part of the Nato force. Sir Richard said he left office “convinced” that Mr Brown was ready to commit to action. The Government is this week expected to consider deploying more troops.
Reader views (7)
Jon, London - if all you can see is within your own mind's eye, ignoring the real world, then I feel sorry for you. Life isn't pretty in the real world - and none of it comes for free despite what the dreamers and complainers might fantasize about. Projecting your obvious distain for anything 'USA' on the issues bound to the Afghanistan problem means you are not part of the solution - just someone adding to the problem. The amusing part of it all is the fact that such unthinking opposition is perfectly allowable, and rightly so in a democracy I hasten to add, as enjoyed by the UK. The army, amongst others, help to guarantee that right.
And oh yeah - the General wasn't elected, true. But he is a voter, and so are the military personnel involved in the conflict. As such they have a right to speak their mind to the people that THEY, in part, employ.
- Rogan, Irving
Why aren’t some of the alleged ‘20,000 neglected ex-servicemen who are either in jail or on probation’ being used?
The shocking figures compiled by probation staff show that one in ten prisoners used to be in the armed forces - up by almost a third in five years.
Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk
- Carl Barron, Christchurch, Dorset
Sir Richard ought to stand at the next election.
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties
Dannatt should remember nobody elected him. He is there to serve the government. And if he is so keen on this futile war, which has no purpose other than to toady to the Americans (who think they own the entire planet), why doesn't he volunteer for some front-line action?
- Jon, London
Are there enough troops for a military coup?
- Andy, London
Clearly if we are not 100% committed we must 100% pull out. This is a binary decision we are either in or out.
I believe the country wants 100% out, any thoughts?
- James, City of London
So when Gordon Clown denied that he had been asked for extra troops whilst speaking in in the House he was lying or misleading the house.
When will this hideous creep resign (and take the rest of his cronies with him).
Over to you Windy and Pricey to explain why black is white, right left and that gravity no longer applies on Thursdays.
- Ethan, UK
