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Brown Iraq trip 'cynical stunt' Tory anger at Brown's Iraq visit
(about 3 hours later)
Gordon Brown has been accused of "cynical pre-election politics" over his visit to British forces in Iraq.Gordon Brown has been accused of "cynical pre-election politics" over his visit to British forces in Iraq.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said Mr Brown preferred a photo opportunity in Basra to keeping his promise to tell MPs first about planned troop cuts.Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said Mr Brown preferred a photo opportunity in Basra to keeping his promise to tell MPs first about planned troop cuts.
He said the PM used the armed forces as a "political football," and it left "a bad taste in most people's mouths". He said the PM used the armed forces as a "political football". Sir John Major also questioned the timing of the announcement and Mr Brown's visit.
Mr Brown said UK forces in Iraq are to be cut by 1,000 by 2008 - ministers say they "greatly value" the armed forces. But No. 10 said it was "preposterous" to suggest the PM was playing politics.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the 1,000 figure includes the withdrawal of 500 troops that was announced in July - 270 of whom are already home. The prime minister's official spokesman said he had always planned to go to Iraq as part "of the normal process of government".
Election speculation Home for Christmas
Mr Brown also said Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control in the next two months. Britain currently has about 5,500 troops stationed at Basra Airport. During his visit, Mr Brown said that UK forces in Iraq were to be cut by 1,000 by 2008.
Arriving in Iraq for his first visit since becoming prime minister, Mr Brown praised the "great courage, professionalism and bravery" of Britain's armed forces. The Ministry of Defence has since confirmed that figure includes the 500 troops whose withdrawal was announced in July - 270 of whom are already home.
Many people will see this as cynical politics, playing political football with our armed forces Liam Fox class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7023366.stm">UK troops in Basra cut The remaining 230 and a further 500 should be home for Christmas, Mr Brown said. After that, 4,500 UK troops will remain, at the Basra Airport base.
He met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for talks and was due to meet the US commander in Iraq, David Petraeus, amid mounting speculation that Mr Brown is preparing to call a general election. If it is now possible to hand over progressively to the Iraqi army and to bring more of our troops back home, then he will certainly have my support David Cameron, Conservative leader class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7023735.stm">Tories attack PM over forces class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7024595.stm">Analysis: Brown's 'neat trick' class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7023366.stm">UK troops in Basra to be cut
Speaking on BBC News 24, Liam Fox said MPs had been led to expect a statement on the withdrawal of troops from Basra in the House of Commons on Monday. The prime minister said Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control in the next two months.
'Greatly value' In his first visit to Iraq since becoming prime minister, Mr Brown praised the "great courage, professionalism and bravery" of Britain's armed forces.
He met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for talks and was updated on the security situation by US General David Petraeus - and on Iraq's economy by deputy prime minister Barham Saleh.
But the timing of his visit, amid mounting speculation that Mr Brown is preparing to call a general election, came under fire at the Conservative Party conference.
'Photo opportunity'
Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said MPs had been led to expect a statement on the withdrawal of troops from Basra in the House of Commons on Monday.
"It now seems that the photo opportunity has just been too great for Gordon Brown."It now seems that the photo opportunity has just been too great for Gordon Brown.
"And many people will see this as cynical politics, playing political football with our armed forces."And many people will see this as cynical politics, playing political football with our armed forces.
Let's be clear this is not the story Gordon Brown wanted to tell BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full In pictures: UK PM in Iraq
"And a lot of people, given Gordon Brown's lack of interest previously, will find this pretty cynical and unacceptable.""And a lot of people, given Gordon Brown's lack of interest previously, will find this pretty cynical and unacceptable."
Let's be clear this is not the story Gordon Brown wanted to tell BBC political editor Nick Robinson class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2007/10/broken_promise.html">Read Nick's thoughts in full Former Conservative prime minister Sir John Major said he was "disappointed" Mr Brown had not made the statement to MPs first, rather than during a flying visit to Iraq at a time of heightened speculation over a general election.
"It wasn't announced last week at his party conference, it was announced on the hoof in Iraq. It hasn't been announced, as it should have been, in Parliament," he said.
'Foolish speculation'
Asked if he agreed with Dr Fox that it was a cynical decision, Sir John said: "I think the prime minister has to show that it isn't. I am not surprised that many people think that."
He cautioned Mr Brown to "stop this feverish and foolish speculation" over whether there will be an election.
Where are British troops?
Earlier, in a speech to the Conservative conference in Blackpool, Mr Fox said everyone wanted to see British troops home from Iraq, but only when the job was done - not because of "overstretch".
He promised "a bigger Army for a safer Britain" under a Conservative government.
And he attacked Labour's treatment of the armed forces, saying its policies were "an insult to our fighting men and women".
He criticised the condition of family quarters, the backlog in the government's compensation scheme and delays in inquests.
However armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth said the government "greatly valued" the armed forces.However armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth said the government "greatly valued" the armed forces.
"That is why we have introduced a tax free operational bonus worth £2,320 and more recently a 25% rebate on the average council tax bill for those serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said."That is why we have introduced a tax free operational bonus worth £2,320 and more recently a 25% rebate on the average council tax bill for those serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.
He added that the government was spending £5bn on improving service accommodation.He added that the government was spending £5bn on improving service accommodation.
Inquests backlog Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, Nick Harvey, added: "Liam Fox offers tough rhetoric on the state of our armed forces but little substance."
Earlier, in a speech to the Conservative conference in Blackpool, Mr Fox attacked Labour's treatment of the armed forces, saying its policies were "an insult to our fighting men and women".
He criticised the condition of family quarters, the backlog in the government's compensation scheme and in inquests "leaving families in anguish and torment".
He also criticised Labour's £140 council tax rebate "con" for personnel doing six month tours in Iraq and Afghanistan saying "those serving six month prison sentences pay none at all".
Liam Fox offers tough rhetoric on the state of our armed forces but little substance Nick HarveyLib Dems
On Iraq he said everyone wanted to see British troops come home, but only because the job was done not because of overstretch.
"In the real world the only logical conclusion you can come to is that the army is already too small," he argued.
He said the first duty of government was "defence of the realm" and Britain had to take on al-Qaeda and the Taleban in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Conservatives would restore the three infantry battalions cut by Labour, he said, adding: "A bigger Army for a safer Britain."
He also pledged exclusively military wards for those injured in combat and better psychiatric services for veterans.
But Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, Nick Harvey, said: "Liam Fox offers tough rhetoric on the state of our armed forces but little substance.
"The Tories spent their last period in office closing down military hospitals and selling off forces' housing at bargain prices. Now they promise to deliver a bigger army but have no idea how to pay for it."