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PM visits soldiers in Afghanistan PM visits soldiers in Afghanistan
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has visited British troops in Afghanistan amid a growing row over his evidence to the Iraq war inquiry.Gordon Brown has visited British troops in Afghanistan amid a growing row over his evidence to the Iraq war inquiry.
The prime minister's aides told the BBC Mr Brown rejected criticism from two former Army chiefs that as chancellor, he denied a request for more equipment. Downing Street told the BBC Mr Brown had rejected criticism from two ex-Army chiefs that as chancellor, he spurned requests for more equipment in Iraq.
No 10 also fiercely denied Conservative claims he was using the visit to divert attention away from the row. No 10 also denied Conservative claims the PM was using the visit to divert attention away from the row.
During his visit the PM promised 2,000 more metal detectors and announced plans for a new light patrol vehicle. During his trip the PM promised 2,000 more metal detectors and announced plans for a new light patrol vehicle.
'Disingenuous''Disingenuous'
The new military fleet would replace the controversial Snatch Land Rovers. The new military fleet would replace the controversial Snatch Land Rovers, which are vulnerable to attacks using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Downing Street insisted the timing of his evidence and the trip to Helmand province were organised separately. Downing Street insisted the timing of Mr Brown's evidence to the Iraq inquiry and the trip to Helmand province were organised separately.
On Friday Mr Brown told the Chilcot inquiry the military had been given everything it asked for. A long-running row between ministers and senior ex-Army commanders re-emerged on Friday after Mr Brown told the Chilcot inquiry that the military had been given everything it asked for during and after the Iraq invasion.
But Lord Guthrie, ex-chief of the defence staff, said in the Daily Telegraph that armed forces had been denied a request for more helicopters. Lord Guthrie, ex-chief of the defence staff, said in the Daily Telegraph that armed forces had been denied a request for more helicopters.
His successor, Lord Boyce, told the Times Mr Brown had been "disingenuous". And his successor, Lord Boyce, told the Times Mr Brown had been "disingenuous".