Labour: ‘Rushed’ cuts leave armed forces at ‘very limit’ of capability

Jim Murphy MP, Labour's shadow defence secretary, says the House of Commons defence committee report is "damning" and describes the armed forces as being at the 'very limit' of their capability:

"This is a damning report. The rushed defence review has been much criticised, but now those who were disappointed will be dismayed and the anxious will be angry.

"The capability gaps and budgetary blackhole left by the rushed defence review have limited Britain's reach in the world. As the report makes clear, events have exposed the mismatch between policy ambition and the resources provided by ministers.

"A defence policy which put a drive for rushed cuts ahead of real security strategy means our armed forces are at the very limit of what they are able to do, with no contingency. In an uncertain world this is increasingly dangerous."