This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8294670.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
I was smeared, says ex-Army chief I was smeared, says ex-Army chief
(31 minutes later)
The ex-head of the Army has said ministers resorted to "politics by smear" because they disagreed with his advice on extra troops for Afghanistan.The ex-head of the Army has said ministers resorted to "politics by smear" because they disagreed with his advice on extra troops for Afghanistan.
Gen Sir Richard Dannatt told the BBC the government tried to damage his reputation after "losing the argument".Gen Sir Richard Dannatt told the BBC the government tried to damage his reputation after "losing the argument".
He also said Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth did not "call the shots" on setting the level of troops.He also said Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth did not "call the shots" on setting the level of troops.
It comes amid reports that the Army wants an extra 1,000 soldiers for the Afghan campaign. He is being lined up to be a defence minister in a future Conservative government, according to BBC sources.
Before the general election Gen Sir Richard will advise the shadow defence team and is earmarked to become a junior defence minister, the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson has learned.
'Very disappointed'
He had told the BBC he would consider taking up a post in a Tory government but said he had not been "publicly" approached for such a role.
When Conservative leader David Cameron was asked whether there was a place for Gen Sir Richard in his cabinet, he told the BBC to "wait and see".
There is a financial and human cost in this strategy which the nation must either pay, or accept that it has lost its presumed status and influence Michael Codner, Royal United Services Institute Analysis: British troop levels
He said: "I've spoken to him on previous occasions as well as recently about his views about how we improve our armed services... I think he's a man of great talent and ability, he's been a great public servant and I think he's got more to give."
Meanwhile, there are reports that the Army wants an extra 1,000 soldiers for the Afghan campaign.
The Cabinet sub-committee dealing with Afghanistan is to discuss how the mission is resourced on Thursday - but no decision on troop levels is thought to be imminent, a spokesman for the prime minister said.
Any decision would have to be discussed further with Britain's allies first, the spokesman added.
Sir Richard told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Number 10 calls the shots. The question has to be asked 'does the Prime Minister want to deploy 9,800 troops?'Sir Richard told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Number 10 calls the shots. The question has to be asked 'does the Prime Minister want to deploy 9,800 troops?'
"I think Bob has got it, I think Bob wants to do it. It is down to Number 10."
Opposition to conflictOpposition to conflict
"I think Bob has got it, I think Bob wants to do it. It is down to Number 10."
He also admitted making mistakes when trying to persuade the prime minister to boost troop numbers in Helmand province.He also admitted making mistakes when trying to persuade the prime minister to boost troop numbers in Helmand province.
He said he was "very disappointed" Gordon Brown refused to increase the level to 9,800 and added he thought the decision was made because of cost.He said he was "very disappointed" Gordon Brown refused to increase the level to 9,800 and added he thought the decision was made because of cost.
We also have to listen very very carefully to what public opinion is saying and we haven't done enough of that up to now Eric Joyce Afghanistan: Is it mission impossible?
"It was going to be too expensive, simple as that," he said."It was going to be too expensive, simple as that," he said.
"I think he [Mr Brown] had to put it in the context of the wider financial meltdown over the last 12 months, I think the effect on this country's finances, and our own economy.""I think he [Mr Brown] had to put it in the context of the wider financial meltdown over the last 12 months, I think the effect on this country's finances, and our own economy."
This year the number of British military personnel in the country rose from 8,000 to just over 9,000 - the second largest deployment of any nation.This year the number of British military personnel in the country rose from 8,000 to just over 9,000 - the second largest deployment of any nation.
Downing Street has denied refusing a request from the military for 1,800 extra personnel.Downing Street has denied refusing a request from the military for 1,800 extra personnel.
There is a financial and human cost in this strategy which the nation must either pay, or accept that it has lost its presumed status and influence Michael Codner, Royal United Services Institute A BBC survey on the eighth anniversary of the start of operations has suggested most people in the UK continue to oppose Britain's military operations in Afghanistan.
He also said he would consider taking up a post in a Conservative government but said he had not been "publicly" approached for such a role. Of 1,010 people polled 56% were opposed, 37% in favour, 6% unsure and 1% refused to answer.
Meanwhile, a BBC survey has suggested most people in the UK continue to oppose Britain's military operations in Afghanistan.
Of 1,010 people polled on the eighth anniversary of the start of operations, 56% were opposed, 37% in favour, 6% unsure and 1% refused to answer.
Three years ago 53% of those polled were opposed, and 31% were in favour.Three years ago 53% of those polled were opposed, and 31% were in favour.
Gen Sir David Richards, the new head of the Army, is believed to want an extra 1,000 troops - Michael Codner, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, has told the BBC.Gen Sir David Richards, the new head of the Army, is believed to want an extra 1,000 troops - Michael Codner, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, has told the BBC.
But it is thought that the government may decide to send an additional 500 soldiers from the UK, with the other 500 being redeployed to Helmand province from elsewhere in Afghanistan.But it is thought that the government may decide to send an additional 500 soldiers from the UK, with the other 500 being redeployed to Helmand province from elsewhere in Afghanistan.
Tour extendedTour extended
Mr Codner says Britain needs to maintain its influence with the US with a consistent and reliable contribution of military forces.Mr Codner says Britain needs to maintain its influence with the US with a consistent and reliable contribution of military forces.
"There is a financial and human cost in this strategy which the nation must either pay, or accept that it has lost its presumed status and influence and can relax and be a normal European country that does not take hard power seriously," he wrote in an article sent to the BBC."There is a financial and human cost in this strategy which the nation must either pay, or accept that it has lost its presumed status and influence and can relax and be a normal European country that does not take hard power seriously," he wrote in an article sent to the BBC.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that some soldiers serving in Afghanistan have had their operational tour extended because of "complex" handover arrangements.The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that some soldiers serving in Afghanistan have had their operational tour extended because of "complex" handover arrangements.
Troops from 19 Light Brigade had been due to end their six-month tour this month, with soldiers from 11 Light Brigade due to be deployed in their place.Troops from 19 Light Brigade had been due to end their six-month tour this month, with soldiers from 11 Light Brigade due to be deployed in their place.
We also have to listen very very carefully to what public opinion is saying and we haven't done enough of that up to now Eric Joyce Afghanistan: Is it mission impossible?
The MoD denies suggestions the delay is a result of ministers failing to reach a decision on whether to send more troops.The MoD denies suggestions the delay is a result of ministers failing to reach a decision on whether to send more troops.
"The changeover of any brigade is complex. Given the nature of continuing operational tasks, uncertainties over the Afghan presidential election, and consideration by Nato of General McChrystal's strategic assessment, this changeover is more complex than most," a spokesman says."The changeover of any brigade is complex. Given the nature of continuing operational tasks, uncertainties over the Afghan presidential election, and consideration by Nato of General McChrystal's strategic assessment, this changeover is more complex than most," a spokesman says.
Leave arrangements will be reviewed to compensate the affected units, he added.Leave arrangements will be reviewed to compensate the affected units, he added.
Afghanistan: Is it mission impossible? will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 2000 BST on Wednesday 7 October.Afghanistan: Is it mission impossible? will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 2000 BST on Wednesday 7 October.