Fox condems "pathetic spectacle" of Malloch-Brown retraction

Liam Fox has described Lord Malloch-Brown's U-turn on the number of helicopters available to UK troops as a "pathetic spectacle" of a Minister "rowing back under pressure from Number 10."

Lord Malloch-Brown, a Minister in the Foreign Office, had previously conceded to the Daily Telegraph that UK forces "definitely don't have enough helicopters".

Liam, the Shadow Defence Secretary, said it was now clear that our troops are being asked to fight a war "for which Labour has not properly equipped them" - and added:

"It is now clear that the harm this Government fears most is to its own reputation, not our national interest, or that of our Armed Forces."

LORD FOULKES SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR ASTONISHING ATTACK ON ARMY CHIEFS

Responding to comments by Labour MSP Lord Foulkes, who accused the head of the Armed Forces and the Army's chief of making comments give 'succour to the enemy', the SNP’s Westminster Leader and defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

“These are astonishing remarks and totally out of touch. Lord Foulkes should apologise for making such outrageous accusations.

“If Gordon Brown can get Lord Malloch-Brown to retract his comments today, why does he not get Lord Foulkes to do likewise with his disgraceful comments?

"Considering the difficulties faced in Afghanistan, I would have thought Richard Dannatt and Jock Stirrup have shown restraint in this matter which is something Lord Foulkes should consider adopting."