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General quits 'over Afghanistan' General quits 'over Afghanistan'
(about 1 hour later)
An Army general who is reported to have criticised aspects of the war in Afghanistan has resigned. An army general who is reported to have criticised aspects of the war in Afghanistan has resigned.
Reports said Maj Gen Andrew Mackay, General Officer Commanding Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England, was unhappy about strategy.Reports said Maj Gen Andrew Mackay, General Officer Commanding Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England, was unhappy about strategy.
Prince Harry spent 10 weeks from December 2007 in Afghanistan under the command of Maj Gen Mackay.Prince Harry spent 10 weeks from December 2007 in Afghanistan under the command of Maj Gen Mackay.
The Ministry of Defence has insisted that the general's departure was a "personal matter".The Ministry of Defence has insisted that the general's departure was a "personal matter".
But defence analyst and military writer Trevor Royle said Maj Gen Mackay was "making a point" by quitting his post.But defence analyst and military writer Trevor Royle said Maj Gen Mackay was "making a point" by quitting his post.
His resignation comes as the Daily Telegraph reported that a mole who leaked details of MPs' expenses said he was partly motivated by anger at inadequate equipment for UK troops.His resignation comes as the Daily Telegraph reported that a mole who leaked details of MPs' expenses said he was partly motivated by anger at inadequate equipment for UK troops.
One notable event in Maj Gen Mackay's operational tour to Afghanistan was the re-capture of Musa Qaleh, a strategic town, from the Taleban. One notable event in Maj Gen Mackay's operational tour to Afghanistan was the re-capture of Musa Qaleh, a strategic town, from the Taliban.
He was subsequently awarded a CBE for his role in the mission.He was subsequently awarded a CBE for his role in the mission.
According to the Daily Telegraph, he was "disillusioned" with the process of "constant muddling through" in Afghanistan.According to the Daily Telegraph, he was "disillusioned" with the process of "constant muddling through" in Afghanistan.
The Times said he was concerned about plans to restructure senior army posts.The Times said he was concerned about plans to restructure senior army posts.
Latest resignationLatest resignation
An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm that Maj Gen Andrew Mackay has decided to leave the Army.An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm that Maj Gen Andrew Mackay has decided to leave the Army.
"This is a personal matter for him.""This is a personal matter for him."
Gordon Brown cannot keep ignoring the questions that are mounting over our strategy Angus Robertson, SNP Expense mole 'angry at Army kit'
Mr Royle described Maj Gen Mackay as a "very principled soldier".Mr Royle described Maj Gen Mackay as a "very principled soldier".
"He believed very strongly that there were shortcomings in equipment levels in Afghanistan where he led a brigade two years ago, and having made his decision on that point he clearly felt that he had to resign from the British Army. "He believed very strongly that there were shortcomings in equipment levels in Afghanistan where he led a brigade two years ago, and having made his decision on that point he clearly felt that he had to resign from the British army.
"Once you've made up your mind that there is no level of commitment for the job that you're doing then you can't continue, that's clearly what he felt.""Once you've made up your mind that there is no level of commitment for the job that you're doing then you can't continue, that's clearly what he felt."
Maj Gen Mackay is the latest officer to leave the armed forces amid criticism of strategy in Afghanistan.Maj Gen Mackay is the latest officer to leave the armed forces amid criticism of strategy in Afghanistan.
Officers such as Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Tootal and Major Sebastian Morley had expressed concern about equipment shortages. Gordon Brown cannot keep ignoring the questions that are mounting over our strategy Angus Robertson, SNP class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8274041.stm">Expense mole 'angry at Army kit'
Major Nick Haston, who was Maj Gen Mackay's deputy chief of staff, resigned from the army earlier this year in protest at policy and equipment shortages. Officers such as Lt Col Stuart Tootal and Maj Sebastian Morley have expressed concern about equipment shortages.
Maj Nick Haston, who was Maj Gen Mackay's deputy chief of staff, resigned from the Army earlier this year in protest at policy and equipment shortages.
Maj Haston told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme that he was "very shocked and surprised" at the news of his superior's resignation.
"I'd be assuming that frustrationÂ… over issues in Afghanistan would be part of the issue. I would be guessing, but I would assume there'd also be other issues such as the general funding problems in the military just now.
"There will be another round of restructuring, I've no doubt about that, and he might have been exposed to this. So that would also have contributed to this decision."
He also described the general's resignation as "a signficant loss".
He added: "He spent the last year re-writing counter-insurgency doctrine for the British army... he has an intimate knowledge of the approach which needs to be taken in Afghanistan. To lose him is a serious blow."
FROM THE WORLD AT ONE More from World at One
Brigadier Ed Butler, of 16 Air Assault Brigade, also voiced concerns when he resigned, and General Sir Richard Dannatt stepped down as head of the army after repeatedly speaking out to highlight what he said were equipment shortages and poor pay and conditions.Brigadier Ed Butler, of 16 Air Assault Brigade, also voiced concerns when he resigned, and General Sir Richard Dannatt stepped down as head of the army after repeatedly speaking out to highlight what he said were equipment shortages and poor pay and conditions.
SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said Maj Gen Mackay's resignation demonstrated the need for a rethink on strategy in Afghanistan.SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said Maj Gen Mackay's resignation demonstrated the need for a rethink on strategy in Afghanistan.
Mr Robertson said: "Throughout his career General Mackay has battled to improve the lot of the ordinary soldier and his departure underlines the serious dissatisfaction that exists within the military over the UK government's strategy in Afghanistan, and the support provided for our forces."Mr Robertson said: "Throughout his career General Mackay has battled to improve the lot of the ordinary soldier and his departure underlines the serious dissatisfaction that exists within the military over the UK government's strategy in Afghanistan, and the support provided for our forces."
"After almost eight years our military personnel deserve a realistic and focused approach from the UK government - and ministers must take the initiative now that the Afghan elections have passed to rethink our strategy reflecting the wider regional concerns.""After almost eight years our military personnel deserve a realistic and focused approach from the UK government - and ministers must take the initiative now that the Afghan elections have passed to rethink our strategy reflecting the wider regional concerns."