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| SAS commander 'quits over kit' | SAS commander 'quits over kit' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Reports say that the SAS reservist commander in Afghanistan has resigned in protest over what he calls "chronic underinvestment" in troops' equipment. | Reports say that the SAS reservist commander in Afghanistan has resigned in protest over what he calls "chronic underinvestment" in troops' equipment. |
| The Daily Telegraph newspaper quotes the commander who says ministers have ignored his warnings about the safety of the Army's Snatch Land Rovers. | The Daily Telegraph newspaper quotes the commander who says ministers have ignored his warnings about the safety of the Army's Snatch Land Rovers. |
| The vehicle has been criticised because its armour is not designed to withstand roadside bombs. | The vehicle has been criticised because its armour is not designed to withstand roadside bombs. |
| The Ministry of Defence said equipping personnel was "a clear priority". | The Ministry of Defence said equipping personnel was "a clear priority". |
| The commander is reported to have blamed a lack of adequate resources for the deaths of four service personnel, including Corporal Sarah Bryant, the first British female soldier to die in Afghanistan. | The commander is reported to have blamed a lack of adequate resources for the deaths of four service personnel, including Corporal Sarah Bryant, the first British female soldier to die in Afghanistan. |
| They were killed on 17 June when their Snatch Land Rover struck a roadside bomb in Helmand Province earlier this year. | |
| In his resignation letter, he is understood to have accused ministers of "gross negligence" in allowing soldiers to go into battle without adequate resources. | In his resignation letter, he is understood to have accused ministers of "gross negligence" in allowing soldiers to go into battle without adequate resources. |
| The lack of equipment, he is reported to have said, was "Cavalier at best. Criminal at worst". Fundamentally it's a capable vehicle, but just not designed for where we are now Amyas GodfreyRoyal United Services Institute | |
| 'Outrageous' | 'Outrageous' |
| The BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the Snatch vehicles had become known by troops in Iraq as "mobile coffins". | The BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the Snatch vehicles had become known by troops in Iraq as "mobile coffins". |
| Conservative MP Patrick Mercer told the BBC: "We've had at least two ringing reassurances from the government that Snatch Land Rovers will be withdrawn from patrol duties in both Afghanistan and Iraq. | Conservative MP Patrick Mercer told the BBC: "We've had at least two ringing reassurances from the government that Snatch Land Rovers will be withdrawn from patrol duties in both Afghanistan and Iraq. |
| "It is outrageous that these vehicles still remain in service. That soldiers, sailors and airmen's' lives are being put at risk by vehicles that are simply inadequate for these sorts of duties." | "It is outrageous that these vehicles still remain in service. That soldiers, sailors and airmen's' lives are being put at risk by vehicles that are simply inadequate for these sorts of duties." |
| Amyas Godfrey, from the Royal United Services Institute, said: "The problem with the Snatch Land Rover is that it was specifically designed for Northern Ireland and it has been adapted and reused for all sorts of different theatres that we never knew we were going to get involved in. | Amyas Godfrey, from the Royal United Services Institute, said: "The problem with the Snatch Land Rover is that it was specifically designed for Northern Ireland and it has been adapted and reused for all sorts of different theatres that we never knew we were going to get involved in. |
| "So, fundamentally it's a capable vehicle, but just not designed for where we are now." | "So, fundamentally it's a capable vehicle, but just not designed for where we are now." |
| This week, Defence Secretary John Hutton announced an extra £700m for 700 new armoured vehicles for Afghanistan. | This week, Defence Secretary John Hutton announced an extra £700m for 700 new armoured vehicles for Afghanistan. |
| The MoD said in a statement: "The events of 17 June were a tragedy and our sympathies are with the families. | |
| "Equipping our personnel is a clear priority and we are absolutely focussed on providing them with a range of vehicles that will protect them from the ever-shifting threats posed by the enemy." | |
| Earlier this month, military resourcing was fiercely criticised by the coroner at the inquest of Cpl Mark Wright who died after the wrong helicopter was sent to rescue him from a minefield in Afghanistan. | Earlier this month, military resourcing was fiercely criticised by the coroner at the inquest of Cpl Mark Wright who died after the wrong helicopter was sent to rescue him from a minefield in Afghanistan. |
| "That a brave soldier is lost in battle is always a matter of deep sadness but when that life is lost where it need not have been because of a lack of equipment and assets, those responsible should hang their heads in shame," Andrew Walker said. | "That a brave soldier is lost in battle is always a matter of deep sadness but when that life is lost where it need not have been because of a lack of equipment and assets, those responsible should hang their heads in shame," Andrew Walker said. |