"To send soldiers into a combat zone without the appropriate basic equipment is, in my view, unforgivable and inexcusable and represents a breach of trust that the soldiers have in those in Government."
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Oxfordshire Assistant Deputy Coroner, Andrew Walker today, speaking about the death of Sgt Steve Roberts and the failure of the MoD to supply him with body armour. In the days of honour someone would have resigned over the '' breach of trust'' but sadly there is no honour in Government circles in todays 'target orientated', corporate management speak ministries.
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The danger now is that the media and (opposition) politicians will focus on this one issue - which has actually been sorted. All troops in combat areas have been issued, at last, with high-tech body armour.
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There are many more fundamental shortages, from armoured vehicles, to thermal imagers and counter-mortar equipment - to say nothing of helicopters and amoured transport vehicles.
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It is time that all Members of Parliament and commentators start doing their jobs and demand this equipment, instead of just using British troops as a source of cheap copy or stage dressing for their own publicity?
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The under equipped British armed forces are paying in blood for the failings of their political masters. Whilst this situation is nothing new that is no good reason why it should continue.
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Please read "Reflected glory" by Dr Richard North here.
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