Today the NAO released a report on airworthiness problems with Britain’s Chinook helicopters. In response to the findings of the report our Shadow Defence Secretary Nick Harvey expressed his disbelief:

“Even by the usual standards of MoD procurement sagas, this report really beggars belief.

 It is scandalous that while our troops are desperate for helicopters in Afghanistan, eight Chinooks have been left on the tarmac back in Britain. Read more »

Commenting on the Armed Forces manning figures published today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:
“These figures confirm that there is still a yawning recruitment gap in the British Army.
“The continuing decline in the number of regular Army troops should be of grave concern to the Government. Read more »

Last week I made a short and eventful visit to Afghanistan.  Having debated the battles in Afghanistan many times it was very helpful to see things with my own eyes.  In many ways it was harrowing, and seeing what our troops do in 50? C was truly humbling. 

The national media reported that Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg had come under rocket attack, but made no mention of me or the rest of our visiting party.  I realised that I’d only have got a mention if I’d come a cropper, so in the circumstances I will settle for anonymity!

Some of our young men were setting out on six hour foot patrols with 40 kg armour and 40 kg backpacks of specialist equipment.  I asked one his body weight and he replied “80 kg sir”.  He was lifting his own bodyweight and embarking on a six hour patrol in 50?! Read more »

Commenting on Gordon Brown’s statement that he is backing a ban on all cluster bombs, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey said:

“A total ban on cluster munitions is long overdue, but we need clarity on timetable and details before we can celebrate any Government u-turn on this issue.

The Prime Minister must also make clear whether he will continue to allow the US to store its own cluster munitions on British territory. If he is serious about ending the scourge of these weapons, he must bring this abuse of the ‘special relationship’ to an end. Read more »

The Government has no idea how many unexploded British cluster bombs remain from conflicts around the world, the Liberal Democrats have found.
 
In a Parliamentary answer, Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth admitted that he could not provide an accurate estimate of the number of unexploded British cluster munitions which still have to be cleared following their use in Iraq, Kuwait, Serbia and Kosovo.
 
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey said:
 
“These weapons have a terrible legacy, yet the Government appears to have no idea how many it has used and how many have been made safe.
 
“It is incredible that the Government cannot even provide an estimate as to the nature of the threat. Read more »

Commenting on today’s call by a coroner for the entire RAF Nimrod fleet to be grounded, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

This is an unprecedented call which will shake the MoD to its foundations. Unless it can show there will be grave operational consequences for our forces on the ground, the Government must make plans to ground the Nimrod fleet.

 Our armed forces are doing an incredible and difficult job in taking on the Taliban. It is scandalous that they also have to worry about the threat to their lives posed by the neglect of their own Government. Read more »