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Brown 'shows contempt for forces' | Brown 'shows contempt for forces' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has treated the armed services with "contempt" and "disinterest", a former chief of the defence staff has told a Lords debate. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has treated the armed services with "contempt" and "disinterest", a former chief of the defence staff has told a Lords debate. |
Admiral Lord Boyce said the decision to give one person - Des Browne - the jobs of both defence and Scottish secretary was an "insult" at a time of war. | Admiral Lord Boyce said the decision to give one person - Des Browne - the jobs of both defence and Scottish secretary was an "insult" at a time of war. |
Another former defence chief, General Lord Guthrie, said Mr Brown had been "unsympathetic" to the military. | Another former defence chief, General Lord Guthrie, said Mr Brown had been "unsympathetic" to the military. |
The government said it was committed to the welfare of service personnel. | The government said it was committed to the welfare of service personnel. |
It shows an appalling lack of judgement at a time when our people are being killed and they are being maimed Admiral Lord Boyce | It shows an appalling lack of judgement at a time when our people are being killed and they are being maimed Admiral Lord Boyce |
During the Lords debate, Lord Boyce said of the decision to give Mr Browne a combined role: "It is seen as an insult by our sailors, our soldiers and our airmen on the front line. | During the Lords debate, Lord Boyce said of the decision to give Mr Browne a combined role: "It is seen as an insult by our sailors, our soldiers and our airmen on the front line. |
"And I know because I have reason to speak to them a lot. And it is certainly a demonstration of the disinterest and some might say contempt that the prime minister and his government has for our armed forces. | "And I know because I have reason to speak to them a lot. And it is certainly a demonstration of the disinterest and some might say contempt that the prime minister and his government has for our armed forces. |
"And it shows an appalling lack of judgement at a time when our people are being killed and they are being maimed." | "And it shows an appalling lack of judgement at a time when our people are being killed and they are being maimed." |
The former defence chiefs spoke during a debate in which the prime minister's commitment to the forces was questioned. | The former defence chiefs spoke during a debate in which the prime minister's commitment to the forces was questioned. |
Lord Guthrie said: "In my experience... he was a most unsympathetic chancellor of the exchequer as far as defence was concerned - and the only senior Cabinet minister who avoided coming to the Ministry of Defence to be briefed by our staff on our problems." | Lord Guthrie said: "In my experience... he was a most unsympathetic chancellor of the exchequer as far as defence was concerned - and the only senior Cabinet minister who avoided coming to the Ministry of Defence to be briefed by our staff on our problems." |
'Fully committed' | 'Fully committed' |
He added: "And I think really that he must take much of the blame for the very serious situation we find the services in today." | He added: "And I think really that he must take much of the blame for the very serious situation we find the services in today." |
But Defence Minister Derek Twigg told the BBC: "Gordon Brown is absolutely committed to supporting our armed forces... | |
"I absolutely reject any suggestion that he's not committed to the armed forces." | |
Asked about Des Browne having two jobs, Mr Twigg replied that he had "shown absolutely fantastic leadership and is a fantastically hard working secretary of state". | |
Earlier this week, a leaked report showed the head of the British Army has expressed concern about poor morale among troops. | Earlier this week, a leaked report showed the head of the British Army has expressed concern about poor morale among troops. |
General Sir Richard Dannatt also raised the issue of the strain placed on resources by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. | General Sir Richard Dannatt also raised the issue of the strain placed on resources by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
According to the report, obtained by the Sunday Telegraph, Sir Richard said troops felt "devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue". | According to the report, obtained by the Sunday Telegraph, Sir Richard said troops felt "devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue". |
The Ministry of Defence said he was referring to individuals who were not necessarily widely representative. | The Ministry of Defence said he was referring to individuals who were not necessarily widely representative. |