Tories attack “shambolic” troop deployment
The Government’s handling of post-war Iraq is “shambolic,” according to the Conservative’s defence spokesman.
Government inaction left British troops with little choice but to “pick up the pieces”, according to Bernard Jenkins.
His attack came as the Government looks to shore up operations in the region.
With security in Iraq on high alert amid sporadic attacks on coalition troops last week, a further 50 British troops have flown to Iraq, taking reinforcements to more than 100 in the last couple of days.
The fresh contingent of troops is from the 2nd Battalion Light Infantry based in Cyprus.
Mr Jenkins said the troops had been “cobbled together at the last minute.”
“Leave and training will have to be cancelled because the Army is too small to match all of Labour’s defence commitments. The over-stretch is now chronic and is damaging the armed forces.
“This crisis goes to the heart of the government’s defence policy. They are spending less on defence than when they first came to power, but they have given more and more commitments to the armed forces.”
It is forecasted the MoD will announce Monday that around 3,000 extra troops will be sent to Iraq.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw urged the PM last week to send 5,000 extra troops to Iraq.
