Michael Fallon accused of misleading the nation by over-stating the size of the Army by 4,500 troops
The defence secretary said before Christmas that the Government would “continue to sustain” a force of 112,000 regular and reserve troops
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was last night accused of misleading the nation – by over-stating the size of the Army by 4,500 troops.
Labour claimed the Tory heavyweight misled Parliament by stating before Christmas that the Government would “continue to sustain” a force of 112,000 regular and reserve troops.
The current figure is 107,560 with the regular Army at 80,640.
The shortfall is almost equal to an entire Brigade.
Labour added the Government had already lowered a key ‘trained strength’ qualification to boost the number of Army personnel on the books.
Shadow Armed Forces Minister Wayne David said: “This is a brazenly misleading statement from the Defence Secretary.
“After shrinking the size of the Army by a fifth over the past six years, Ministers recently decided to change the definition of ‘trained strength’ to fiddle the figures.
“But that still doesn’t hide the fact the Army is well short of the 112,000 that the Government has committed to, at a time of growing international risk and instability.”
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The Ministry of Defence last night said the 112,000 number was a target for 2020, made up of 82,000 regular Army troops and 30,000 reservists. A spokesman insisted it would be met.
He added: “Britain’s defence budget is the biggest in Europe and exceeds the NATO 2 per cent target.
“Labour’s leader Jeremy Corbyn is unsure about if he wants to have any Armed Forces at all. Labour would put the security of Britain at unprecedented risk.”
The row comes a day after the Labour leader was slammed by serving personnel and vets after wishing the Armed Forces a “very peaceful” New Year.
SAS hero Andy McNab said he didn’t believe “a word” of the message given the Labour leader’s support for Sinn Fein.