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Memorial service for UK soldiers Memorial service for UK soldiers
(about 3 hours later)
British troops in Afghanistan will hold a private memorial service later to remember the eight men who died last week in a single 24-hour period.British troops in Afghanistan will hold a private memorial service later to remember the eight men who died last week in a single 24-hour period.
Tributes will be paid at Camp Bastion, a day after it emerged that three of those killed on Friday were just 18.Tributes will be paid at Camp Bastion, a day after it emerged that three of those killed on Friday were just 18.
Meanwhile, new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth will answer questions in Parliament for the first time.Meanwhile, new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth will answer questions in Parliament for the first time.
The Tories have accused the government of the "ultimate dereliction of duty" in under-equipping the armed forces.The Tories have accused the government of the "ultimate dereliction of duty" in under-equipping the armed forces.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Defence named six soldiers who were killed in Helmand last Friday.On Sunday, the Ministry of Defence named six soldiers who were killed in Helmand last Friday.
Five were members of the County Down-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles. They were: Cpl Jonathan Horne, and Riflemen Joseph Murphy, Daniel Simpson, William Aldridge and James Backhouse.Five were members of the County Down-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles. They were: Cpl Jonathan Horne, and Riflemen Joseph Murphy, Daniel Simpson, William Aldridge and James Backhouse.
The sixth was Cpl Lee Scott, of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.The sixth was Cpl Lee Scott, of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.
In the same 24 hours - the bloodiest since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001 - Rifleman Daniel Hume, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, and Pte John Brackpool, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, also died.In the same 24 hours - the bloodiest since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001 - Rifleman Daniel Hume, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, and Pte John Brackpool, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, also died.
More vehiclesMore vehicles
Conservatives will use Mr Ainsworth's first Commons defence questions on Monday to accuse him of failing British troops.Conservatives will use Mr Ainsworth's first Commons defence questions on Monday to accuse him of failing British troops.
We must do more and we will do more Gordon Brown, speaking about providing equipment for British troops British fatalities in Afghanistan Afghanistan: Key facts and figures UK Afghan mission support 'rises'We must do more and we will do more Gordon Brown, speaking about providing equipment for British troops British fatalities in Afghanistan Afghanistan: Key facts and figures UK Afghan mission support 'rises'
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox will demand answers about what he says is a scandalous shortage of helicopters in Helmand, which has left British troops more vulnerable to roadside bombs.Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox will demand answers about what he says is a scandalous shortage of helicopters in Helmand, which has left British troops more vulnerable to roadside bombs.
Over the weekend, Gordon Brown defended the strategy in Afghanistan and said the government had increased defence spending by more than a billion pounds in the past year.Over the weekend, Gordon Brown defended the strategy in Afghanistan and said the government had increased defence spending by more than a billion pounds in the past year.
He said new equipment had already been provided and more, including Merlin helicopters and Ridgeback armoured vehicles, would arrive in the coming months.He said new equipment had already been provided and more, including Merlin helicopters and Ridgeback armoured vehicles, would arrive in the coming months.
But he added: "We must do more and we will do more."But he added: "We must do more and we will do more."
Speaking to the British Forces Broadcasting Service, Mr Brown insisted the mission in Afghanistan was key to the UK's domestic security.Speaking to the British Forces Broadcasting Service, Mr Brown insisted the mission in Afghanistan was key to the UK's domestic security.
But a poll carried out for the BBC suggests public opinion is split on the issue.But a poll carried out for the BBC suggests public opinion is split on the issue.
Of 1,000 people questioned, 47% said they opposed the British operation, while 46% said they supported it.Of 1,000 people questioned, 47% said they opposed the British operation, while 46% said they supported it.
However, it does appear that backing for the campaign has increased since 2006, when only 31% of people gave their support.However, it does appear that backing for the campaign has increased since 2006, when only 31% of people gave their support.
Panther's ClawPanther's Claw
UK troops have spent recent weeks on an offensive - codenamed Panther's Claw - which is designed to increase security ahead of Afghan elections planned for next month.UK troops have spent recent weeks on an offensive - codenamed Panther's Claw - which is designed to increase security ahead of Afghan elections planned for next month.
But the surge has brought a big increase in casualties, with 15 servicemen killed in the first 10 days of the month.But the surge has brought a big increase in casualties, with 15 servicemen killed in the first 10 days of the month.
It means 184 service personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001, more than the 179 who were killed during the war in Iraq.It means 184 service personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001, more than the 179 who were killed during the war in Iraq.
The deaths of the three 18-year-olds matches the number previously killed at that age during almost eight years of conflict in Afghanistan.The deaths of the three 18-year-olds matches the number previously killed at that age during almost eight years of conflict in Afghanistan.