HUGH ROBERTSON ATTACKS MOD FOR ABOLISHING REGIMENTS WHILST DEPLOYING MORE TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN

Hugh Robertson, who saw active service in Northern Ireland, the Gulf War and Bosnia, today called on the government to stop the proposed regimental amalgamations and reorganisations whilst the British Army was undertaking so many operational tours.

The call came as the Defence Secretary announced the deployment of an extra 5,000 troops Afghanistan, including Hugh’s old regiment.

Hugh Robertson was Adjutant of The Life Guards and was deployed on active service during the Gulf War exactly 15 years ago. Then, as now, the British Army was faced with structural change caused in 1991 by the end of the Cold War.

Hugh Robertson said: “I know from my own experience that sending the Army off on active service whilst their regiments are threatened at home is bad for morale. The government should halt the planned structural changes until the deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan are complete – and preferably, given the increased requirement for infantry, for good.

“It was clear from the Secretary of State’s announcement in the House today that there are also a number of unresolved issues specific to Afghanistan. The force needs a clear aim and for greater clarity over which objective takes priority – search and destroy operations against terrorists or building a civil society.”