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 7 Version 8
Ex-Army chief 'offered Tory role' Ex-Army chief 'offered Tory role'
(12 minutes later)
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.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.
The party confirmed an announcement would be made on Thursday.The party confirmed an announcement would be made on Thursday.
But BBC political editor Nick Robinson said suggestions Gen Dannatt may become a defence minister in a future Tory government were being played down.But BBC political editor Nick Robinson said suggestions Gen Dannatt may become a defence minister in a future Tory government were being played down.
Gen Dannatt has accused ministers of smearing him because they disagreed with his advice on Afghan troop levels.Gen Dannatt has accused ministers of smearing him because they disagreed with his advice on Afghan troop levels.
He told the BBC he would consider taking up some sort of post in a Tory government but said he had not been "publicly" approached for such a role.He told the BBC he would consider taking up some sort of post in a Tory government but said he had not been "publicly" approached for such a role.
Asked by a caller on BBC 5Live's Victoria Derbyshire programme if he would consider a future role advising a Tory government, he replied: "You are asking the question on a theoretical basis and the answer is theoretically yes."Asked by a caller on BBC 5Live's Victoria Derbyshire programme if he would consider a future role advising a Tory government, he replied: "You are asking the question on a theoretical basis and the answer is theoretically yes."
He added: "If someone in a future life wants me to do something else then let them ask the question and I will give them an answer."He added: "If someone in a future life wants me to do something else then let them ask the question and I will give them an answer."
'Great talent''Great talent'
When Conservative leader David Cameron was asked whether there was potentially place for Gen Dannatt in a future cabinet, he told the BBC to "wait and see".When Conservative leader David Cameron was asked whether there was potentially place for Gen Dannatt in a future cabinet, he told the BBC to "wait and see".
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."
He's been a great public servant and I think he's got more to give David Cameron on Sir Richard Dannatt Analysis: British troop levels Nick Robinson on Gen Dannatt Grayling laughs off gaffe Afghanistan: Is it mission impossible? Send us your commentsHe's been a great public servant and I think he's got more to give David Cameron on Sir Richard Dannatt Analysis: British troop levels Nick Robinson on Gen Dannatt Grayling laughs off gaffe Afghanistan: Is it mission impossible? Send us your comments
It appears senior Conservatives were not aware of the offer as shadow home secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC he hoped the move was not a "political gimmick".It appears senior Conservatives were not aware of the offer as shadow home secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC he hoped the move was not a "political gimmick".
Mishearing the question, Mr Grayling thought it was Gordon Brown who had offered Gen Dannatt a role and said too many non-politicians had been brought into the government for PR reasons.Mishearing the question, Mr Grayling thought it was Gordon Brown who had offered Gen Dannatt a role and said too many non-politicians had been brought into the government for PR reasons.
He later said it was "really good news" for the Conservatives.He later said it was "really good news" for the Conservatives.
Mr Brown recruited a number of experts from outside politics, including former Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown and former trade minister Lord Digby Jones, most of whom have since quit the government.Mr Brown recruited a number of experts from outside politics, including former Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown and former trade minister Lord Digby Jones, most of whom have since quit the government.
Asked about the issue later, shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said it would be "an enormous plus" for the Tories to call on a man of Gen Dannatt's experience and distinguished service.Asked about the issue later, shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said it would be "an enormous plus" for the Tories to call on a man of Gen Dannatt's experience and distinguished service.
But the Lib Dems said it showed there was "no real difference between Labour and the Tories when it comes to gimmicks rather than solutions".But the Lib Dems said it showed there was "no real difference between Labour and the Tories when it comes to gimmicks rather than solutions".
Troop disputeTroop dispute
Meanwhile, there are reports that the Army wants an extra 1,000 soldiers for the Afghan campaignMeanwhile, there are reports that the Army wants an extra 1,000 soldiers for the Afghan campaign
FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 liveFROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live
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 No 10 spokesman 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 No 10 spokesman said.
Asked about this during the interview, Gen Dannatt said: "No 10 calls the shots. The question has to be asked: 'Does the prime minister want to deploy 9,800 troops?"Asked about this during the interview, Gen Dannatt said: "No 10 calls the shots. The question has to be asked: 'Does the prime minister want to deploy 9,800 troops?"
He admitted making mistakes when trying to persuade the prime minister to boost troop numbers in Helmand province and said he was "very disappointed" PM Gordon Brown refused to increase the level to 9,800.He admitted making mistakes when trying to persuade the prime minister to boost troop numbers in Helmand province and said he was "very disappointed" PM Gordon Brown refused to increase the level to 9,800.
"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."
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.
The debate about troop numbers led to claims that Labour figures were seeking to smear senior Army officers.The debate about troop numbers led to claims that Labour figures were seeking to smear senior Army officers.
The Labour peer, Lord Foulkes, asked parliamentary questions in August about Gen Dannatt's expense claims and a number of Freedom of Information requests were made about entertaining costs at his official London residence.The Labour peer, Lord Foulkes, asked parliamentary questions in August about Gen Dannatt's expense claims and a number of Freedom of Information requests were made about entertaining costs at his official London residence.
Gen Dannatt told BBC Radio 5live: "I think it's really sad if you've lost the argument you stop talking about the issues and start going for the people. I mean that's not how good governments should be run.Gen Dannatt told BBC Radio 5live: "I think it's really sad if you've lost the argument you stop talking about the issues and start going for the people. I mean that's not how good governments should be run.
"I think we should just move on and government by smear, politics by smear - we just don't need that.""I think we should just move on and government by smear, politics by smear - we just don't need that."