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20/07/2009
Army General Silenced As Death Toll Rises
As news that another UK soldier has been killed in a blast in Afghanistan, damning comments over poorly equipped soldiers on the front-line have seen one of the UK's top military men silenced.
The soldier who died was serving with 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, in Sangin, in northern Helmand province.
He was killed on 19 July, the MoD said in a statement.
The fatality takes the UK death toll in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 to 186, including 17 during the month of July 2009 alone.
The death will further intensify debate over Sir Richard Dannatt, the Army general whose complaints about a shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan caused controversy last week.
It appears he has since been silenced by his fellow defence chiefs.
The Chief of the General Staff was due to give a television interview yesterday, where he was expected to renew his call for better support for frontline troops in the war against the Taliban, but pulled out at short notice because of the risk that his remarks could be misinterpreted.
Tory Leader David Cameron denounced the Government's failure to supply more helicopters as a "scandal".
He was speaking soon after the former Defence Secretary, John Hutton, also called for more manpower, helicopters and protection for troops.
However, the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, insisted that "intensive discussions" were taking place within the Government about the equipment needed in Afghanistan, and promised it would not be affected by public spending cuts.
General Dannatt risked the wrath of Downing Street during his visit to Afghanistan last week, when he told the BBC he would be returning with a "shopping list" of kit that the British Army required on the ground.
Ironically, while he was there, he travelled in an American Black Hawk helicopter.
Other senior commanders were irritated by the comments, including the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, who feared they could damage negotiations with the Government.
(BMcC/KMcA)
The soldier who died was serving with 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, in Sangin, in northern Helmand province.
He was killed on 19 July, the MoD said in a statement.
The fatality takes the UK death toll in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 to 186, including 17 during the month of July 2009 alone.
The death will further intensify debate over Sir Richard Dannatt, the Army general whose complaints about a shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan caused controversy last week.
It appears he has since been silenced by his fellow defence chiefs.
The Chief of the General Staff was due to give a television interview yesterday, where he was expected to renew his call for better support for frontline troops in the war against the Taliban, but pulled out at short notice because of the risk that his remarks could be misinterpreted.
Tory Leader David Cameron denounced the Government's failure to supply more helicopters as a "scandal".
He was speaking soon after the former Defence Secretary, John Hutton, also called for more manpower, helicopters and protection for troops.
However, the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, insisted that "intensive discussions" were taking place within the Government about the equipment needed in Afghanistan, and promised it would not be affected by public spending cuts.
General Dannatt risked the wrath of Downing Street during his visit to Afghanistan last week, when he told the BBC he would be returning with a "shopping list" of kit that the British Army required on the ground.
Ironically, while he was there, he travelled in an American Black Hawk helicopter.
Other senior commanders were irritated by the comments, including the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, who feared they could damage negotiations with the Government.
(BMcC/KMcA)
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20 August 2009
Minister Denies Dannatt 'Smear'
Claims that a junior defence minister attempted to 'smear' the reputation of Britain's top army general have been refuted. Kevan Jones today denied newspaper reports he prompted MPs to publicly probe General Sir Richard Dannatt's expenses claims. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) Minister dismissed the allegations as "a silly season story".
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21 July 2009
Afghan Blast Kills Another Soldier
It has been another bloody 24-hours for UK forces as another British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan. It means 187 UK servicemen have now died in the conflict and while the next of kin of the latest victim - an explosives specialist - have been informed - the trooper has yet to be named.
Afghan Blast Kills Another Soldier
It has been another bloody 24-hours for UK forces as another British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan. It means 187 UK servicemen have now died in the conflict and while the next of kin of the latest victim - an explosives specialist - have been informed - the trooper has yet to be named.
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