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Aide quits over Afghan strategy Aide quits over Afghan strategy
(30 minutes later)
A parliamentary aide to the defence secretary has resigned, criticising the government's strategy in Afghanistan. A parliamentary aide to the defence secretary Bob Ainsworth has resigned, criticising the government's strategy in Afghanistan.
Labour MP Eric Joyce said the UK could no longer justify the growing casualty toll in Afghanistan by saying the war would prevent terrorism back home.Labour MP Eric Joyce said the UK could no longer justify the growing casualty toll in Afghanistan by saying the war would prevent terrorism back home.
Mr Joyce, parliamentary private secretary to Bob Ainsworth, also said the government was failing to empathise sufficiently with the military. The government should set a time limit on the deployment of troops, he added.
Mr Ainsworth said he was "fully committed" to UK troops in Afghanistan. Mr Ainsworth said he was "fully committed" to UK troops and the Afghan mission was vital to national security.
In a statement, Mr Ainsworth said Mr Joyce was entitled to his opinion but he did not "recognise" the picture he painted of the situation in Afghanistan.In a statement, Mr Ainsworth said Mr Joyce was entitled to his opinion but he did not "recognise" the picture he painted of the situation in Afghanistan.
'Uncertainty' 'Exit strategy'
The resignation comes on the day the Ministry of Defence announced the death of another soldier in Afghanistan, taking the number of service personnel killed there since operations began in 2001 to 212.The resignation comes on the day the Ministry of Defence announced the death of another soldier in Afghanistan, taking the number of service personnel killed there since operations began in 2001 to 212.
It also comes on the eve of a major speech by Gordon Brown on the UK's mission there and amid reports that the US is preparing to send more troops to the country.It also comes on the eve of a major speech by Gordon Brown on the UK's mission there and amid reports that the US is preparing to send more troops to the country.
In his resignation letter, Mr Joyce - MP for Falkirk - questioned public support for the mission in Afghanistan and the government's justification for the presence of troops there. In his resignation letter, Mr Joyce - MP for Falkirk - questioned public support for the mission in Afghanistan and the government's arguments for the presence of troops there.
I do not think the public will accept for much longer that our losses can be justified by simply referring to the risk of greater terrorism on our streets Eric Joyce Full text of resignation letter Reaction to resignationI do not think the public will accept for much longer that our losses can be justified by simply referring to the risk of greater terrorism on our streets Eric Joyce Full text of resignation letter Reaction to resignation
He also cast doubt on Labour's ability to win the next election unless it got a "grip on defence".He also cast doubt on Labour's ability to win the next election unless it got a "grip on defence".
"I do not think the public will accept for much longer that our losses can be justified by simply referring to the risk of greater terrorism on our streets," he said."I do not think the public will accept for much longer that our losses can be justified by simply referring to the risk of greater terrorism on our streets," he said.
"Nor do I think we can continue with the present level of uncertainty about the future of our deployment in Afghanistan.""Nor do I think we can continue with the present level of uncertainty about the future of our deployment in Afghanistan."
Mr Joyce, a former soldier, said the UK must consider an exit strategy for its troops, arguing that personnel numbers should be cut substantially in the next Parliament.Mr Joyce, a former soldier, said the UK must consider an exit strategy for its troops, arguing that personnel numbers should be cut substantially in the next Parliament.
There are currently more than 9,000 troops in Afghanistan.There are currently more than 9,000 troops in Afghanistan.
"We need to make it clear that our commitment in Afghanistan is high but time limited.""We need to make it clear that our commitment in Afghanistan is high but time limited."
Nato criticism
Mr Joyce also criticised the contribution of other Nato countries in Afghanistan, arguing that the UK "punched a long way above its weight" while "many of our allies do far too little".Mr Joyce also criticised the contribution of other Nato countries in Afghanistan, arguing that the UK "punched a long way above its weight" while "many of our allies do far too little".
Gordon Brown has pledged more support for British troopsGordon Brown has pledged more support for British troops
"For many, Britain fights, Germany pays, France calculates, Italy avoids," he said."For many, Britain fights, Germany pays, France calculates, Italy avoids," he said.
The political consensus in the UK over the Afghan mission has broken down in recent months with opposition parties questioning whether troops are sufficiently equipped to do the job asked of them in fighting the Taliban.The political consensus in the UK over the Afghan mission has broken down in recent months with opposition parties questioning whether troops are sufficiently equipped to do the job asked of them in fighting the Taliban.
Critics have said they are being hampered by an acute shortage of helicopters but ministers says army chiefs have all the resources they have requested.Critics have said they are being hampered by an acute shortage of helicopters but ministers says army chiefs have all the resources they have requested.
During a surprise visit to Afghanistan last weekend, the prime minister promised more support for UK troops, focusing on greater protection from roadside bombs.During a surprise visit to Afghanistan last weekend, the prime minister promised more support for UK troops, focusing on greater protection from roadside bombs.
Reports of widespread irregularities in last month's presidential elections and claims of vote-rigging in the ballot - won by President Karzai - have caused dismay in London and Washington.Reports of widespread irregularities in last month's presidential elections and claims of vote-rigging in the ballot - won by President Karzai - have caused dismay in London and Washington.
Mr Joyce said there must be a second round of voting to reassure the British public that the Afghan government "has been properly elected and has clear intent to deal with the corruption there which has continued unabated in recent years".Mr Joyce said there must be a second round of voting to reassure the British public that the Afghan government "has been properly elected and has clear intent to deal with the corruption there which has continued unabated in recent years".
Political priorities Our mission in Afghanistan is vital to our national security. We will not walk away from that responsibility Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth
He also said the well-being of British troops in Afghanistan needed to be given the "highest political priority".He also said the well-being of British troops in Afghanistan needed to be given the "highest political priority".
"Above all, Labour must remember that service folk and their families are our people. We say that we honour them for their risk, bravery and sacrifice and we must, at literally all costs, continue to show that we mean it.""Above all, Labour must remember that service folk and their families are our people. We say that we honour them for their risk, bravery and sacrifice and we must, at literally all costs, continue to show that we mean it."
'Vital mission'
In response, Mr Ainsworth said it was "vital" that those in charge of policy were "fully committed" to the mission in Afghanistan.In response, Mr Ainsworth said it was "vital" that those in charge of policy were "fully committed" to the mission in Afghanistan.
The BBC's political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said the resignation - the first from the government over Afghanistan - would be a real blow to Gordon Brown. "Everyone in defence and the wider government is fully committed to ensuring that our forces succeed in the operations on which they are engaged in Afghanistan and that they have the necessary equipment and support to do the job," he said.
"Our mission in Afghanistan is vital to our national security. We will not walk away from that responsibility."
No 10 said it was "disappointed" by the resignation and said Mr Joyce had not raised any of his concerns previously.
The BBC's political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said the resignation - the first from the government over Afghanistan - would be a real blow to Gordon Brown and No 10 would be worried about the extent of unease in Labour ranks over the war.
The Conservatives said the government was failing to put the case for the UK's continued involvement in Afghanistan.The Conservatives said the government was failing to put the case for the UK's continued involvement in Afghanistan.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said there was a "great deal of disquiet" on Labour benches about the situation there.Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said there was a "great deal of disquiet" on Labour benches about the situation there.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "Eric Joyce confirms what I have been saying for a long time, our approach in Afghanistan is over-ambitious and under-resourced."Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "Eric Joyce confirms what I have been saying for a long time, our approach in Afghanistan is over-ambitious and under-resourced."