This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29782465
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Troops' Afghan sacrifice never forgotten, David Cameron says | Troops' Afghan sacrifice never forgotten, David Cameron says |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The British troops who died in Afghanistan will never be forgotten, the prime minister has said at the end of the UK's 13-year military campaign. | The British troops who died in Afghanistan will never be forgotten, the prime minister has said at the end of the UK's 13-year military campaign. |
| The last British base, Camp Bastion, was handed over to Afghan security forces in a ceremony on Sunday. | The last British base, Camp Bastion, was handed over to Afghan security forces in a ceremony on Sunday. |
| David Cameron tweeted: "We will always remember the courage of those who served on our behalf". | David Cameron tweeted: "We will always remember the courage of those who served on our behalf". |
| But former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott has questioned whether the results "justified" the 453 UK deaths. | But former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott has questioned whether the results "justified" the 453 UK deaths. |
| The union flag was lowered at the ceremony at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province on Sunday morning, while Camp Leatherneck - the adjoining US base - was also handed over to Afghan control. | The union flag was lowered at the ceremony at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province on Sunday morning, while Camp Leatherneck - the adjoining US base - was also handed over to Afghan control. |
| The UK forces were part of a US-led coalition which toppled the ruling Taliban in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks and Bastion has been their main Afghan base since 2006. | |
| The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Houghton, said the UK's armed forces have "played a hugely significant role in delivering a security legacy for the people of Afghanistan". | The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Houghton, said the UK's armed forces have "played a hugely significant role in delivering a security legacy for the people of Afghanistan". |
| The UK's most senior officer in Helmand, Brigadier Rob Thomson, said Sunday's ceremony marked the "final step in a deliberate, responsible and measured handover" to the Afghans. | The UK's most senior officer in Helmand, Brigadier Rob Thomson, said Sunday's ceremony marked the "final step in a deliberate, responsible and measured handover" to the Afghans. |
| He told the BBC: "There is regret over every single serviceman who has lost their life in this country and all those who have been wounded and we hold them in our hearts to the very end of our days. | He told the BBC: "There is regret over every single serviceman who has lost their life in this country and all those who have been wounded and we hold them in our hearts to the very end of our days. |
| "But what I can tell every single member of the armed forces who served here and every single family who have sent their loved ones here is that we have made a difference." | "But what I can tell every single member of the armed forces who served here and every single family who have sent their loved ones here is that we have made a difference." |
| Writing in the Daily Mirror Lord Prescott, who was in the cabinet that sent British troops to Afghanistan in 2001, said he "gratefully welcomed" the return home of service personnel. | Writing in the Daily Mirror Lord Prescott, who was in the cabinet that sent British troops to Afghanistan in 2001, said he "gratefully welcomed" the return home of service personnel. |
| "I respect the thousands of gallant men and women who went to Afghanistan and Iraq to save lives and restore peace. But they teach us that being the world's policeman carries a heavy price and does not justify the heavy loss of lives," he said. | "I respect the thousands of gallant men and women who went to Afghanistan and Iraq to save lives and restore peace. But they teach us that being the world's policeman carries a heavy price and does not justify the heavy loss of lives," he said. |
| On Sunday, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "Mistakes were made militarily, mistakes were made by the politicians at the time and this goes back 10, 13 years. | On Sunday, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "Mistakes were made militarily, mistakes were made by the politicians at the time and this goes back 10, 13 years. |
| "Clearly the numbers weren't there at the beginning, the equipment wasn't quite good enough at the beginning and we've learnt an awful lot from the campaign. But don't let's ignore what has been achieved." | "Clearly the numbers weren't there at the beginning, the equipment wasn't quite good enough at the beginning and we've learnt an awful lot from the campaign. But don't let's ignore what has been achieved." |
| Rear Adm Chris Parry, who helped plan the role of UK troops in Afghanistan, told the BBC that Britain's involvement had been "worth it", saying the country was now "more stable", was improving economically and had 40% more children going to school. | Rear Adm Chris Parry, who helped plan the role of UK troops in Afghanistan, told the BBC that Britain's involvement had been "worth it", saying the country was now "more stable", was improving economically and had 40% more children going to school. |
| Labour party leader Ed Miliband said: "All those who served did so to help ensure Afghanistan could no longer be used as a safe haven for terrorists." | Labour party leader Ed Miliband said: "All those who served did so to help ensure Afghanistan could no longer be used as a safe haven for terrorists." |
| He added that Britain "must make sure that we continue to give the right support to the Afghan government both politically and through humanitarian aid, so that security and stability in Afghanistan can be maintained in the years to come". | He added that Britain "must make sure that we continue to give the right support to the Afghan government both politically and through humanitarian aid, so that security and stability in Afghanistan can be maintained in the years to come". |