Blow for Gordon Brown as defence aide quits over Afghanistan strategy

The Guardian ^ | 9/3/09

[MinorityRepublican]

On the eve of a major speech defending the British campaign in Afghanistan, Gordon Brown suffered a serious blow when the parliamentary aide to defence secretary Bob Ainsworth quit, telling the prime minister that public support for the war will collapse "unless politicians are seen to treasure those who fight for us".

Eric Joyce, a former army major and Ainsworth's parliamentary private secretary, also condemned what he described as "petty, back-channel attacks" on the military by Labour politicians.

Joyce, MP for Falkirk, is known to be furious at what he regards as invidious attacks on the former head of the British army Sir Richard Dannatt by Labour defence ministers. They had claimed Dannatt was acting politically by demanding better equipment for British soldiers.

Joyce states in his resignation letter: "I do not think the public will accept for much longer that our losses can be justified by simply referring to the risk of greater terrorism on our streets."

And in an article for the Channel 4 News website, he writes: "Petty, back-channel attacks on respected senior officers are indistinguishable from attacks on the services as a whole."

He also calls for greater clarity in Britain's objectives in Afghanistan: "It should be possible soon to say that our commitment there will reduce markedly during the lifetime of the next government. The public wants to see much more coherence and direction in that respect."

Joyce claims his resignation was timed not to be disruptive.

A furious Downing Street argued Joyce was a maverick who had resigned before he had heard Brown's case. Sources pointed to pressure he faced over his expenses.

Joyce also complains that President Obama needs to show greater appreciation for the British effort.

[MinorityRepublican]

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