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I was smeared, says ex-Army chief Ex-Army chief 'offered Tory role'
(about 1 hour 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. Former Army chief Gen Sir Richard Dannatt is to become a defence adviser to the Conservatives in the House of Lords, sources have told the BBC.
Gen Sir Richard Dannatt told the BBC the government tried to damage his reputation after "losing the argument". The party confirmed an announcement would be made on Thursday.
Other sources have told BBC political editor Nick Robinson Gen Dannatt was being lined up to be a junior defence minister in a future Tory government.
Sir Richard has accused ministers of smearing him because they disagreed with his advice on Afghan troop levels.
He told the BBC the government tried to damage his reputation after "losing the argument" over tactics and ministers had resorted to "politics by smear".
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.
He is to be elevated to the House of Lords to advise the Conservatives on defence matters, the BBC has learned.
Sources had earlier told BBC political editor Nick Robinson that General Dannatt was being lined up to be a junior defence minister in a future Tory government, but this has since been downplayed.
'Very disappointed''Very disappointed'
An announcement will be made on Thursday, a spokesman for Conservative leader David Cameron has confirmed. Gen Dannatt 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.
The former Army chief 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 Mr Cameron was asked whether there was a place for Gen Sir Richard in his cabinet, he told the BBC to "wait and see".When Mr 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 Send us your commentsThere 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 Send us your comments
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."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.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.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.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's Victoria Derbyshire programme: "Number 10 calls the shots. The question has to be asked 'does the Prime Minister want to deploy 9,800 troops?'
Opposition to conflictOpposition to conflict
"I think Bob has got it, I think Bob wants to do it. It is down to Number 10.""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?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.
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.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.
Of 1,010 people polled 56% were opposed, 37% in favour, 6% unsure and 1% refused to answer.Of 1,010 people polled 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 (MoD) 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.
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.