News this morning is largely focused on the Chancellor’s pre-election Budget, which was announced yesterday.
Elsewhere, BBC News is reporting that British military personnel have begun training members of the Ukrainian army fighting pro-Russian rebels, and there is widespread coverage of the deaths of 17 tourists in an attack by gunmen at a museum in the capital of Tunisia.
Budget
There is various follow-up coverage of what the 2015 pre-election Budget means for the military. The Daily Mail reports that tens of thousands of British servicemen who suffered illnesses after being exposed to nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s will share in a compensation fund. The Daily Telegraph, the Independent and the Guardian all report that as well as £25 million to help veterans, including nuclear test veterans, the Chancellor has earmarked up to £2 million for marking the 70th anniversary of VE Day, millions on renovating the RAF Museum in Hendon and Libor fines on banks to fund Afghan veterans’ regimental charities. Meanwhile The Sun reports that some of the cash will support the paper’s campaign for a memorial for British troops who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ukraine
The BBC reports that British military personnel have begun training members of the Ukrainian army fighting pro-Russian rebels. It is reported that 35 trainers are teaching non-combat skills in the southern city of Mykolaiv and will spend about two months in the country. The British government is also providing non-lethal equipment for the Ukraine Armed Forces including sleeping bags, protective helmets, medical kits and laptops, but the BBC reports that many want the government to go further and provide weapons.
The MOD can confirm that the team arrived in Ukraine last week, and will be helping with logistics and basic medical training.
Our position is that the UK is committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s aggression. The gifting of non-lethal equipment is designed to prevent further Ukrainian fatalities and casualties and to help improve situational awareness on the ground. Our overall aim is to strengthen the defensive capability of the Ukrainian armed forces and build the resilience that they need.
Al-Saadoon judgement
The Daily Mail reports that families of Iraqis shot dead or wounded on the battlefield by British soldiers could sue the MOD following a High Court ruling. The judgement states that such cases fell within the jurisdiction of the ECHR and could lead to more than 1,200 claims – brought by Phil Shiner’s “controversial” Public Interest Lawyers – being investigated in UK courts. The piece includes comments Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, the judgment was ‘absurd’.
The MOD’s position is reflected in the piece, which is that while the Court has rejected all but one of Public Interest Lawyers’ attempts to expand our investigative obligations, we are concerned that it has taken such an expansive view of ECHR jurisdiction. The judgment does not require any change to conduct of UK military operations but it is likely to encourage large numbers of opportunistic claims which must be investigated and litigated at heavy cost to taxpayers. We will therefore be seeking leave to appeal the jurisdiction issues to the Court of Appeal.
Image of the day
![Sailors on board HMS Lancaster will wear the Royal Navy’s first new uniform in 70 years when their ship leaves for a nine-month Atlantic patrol on Saturday. Replacing the Action Working Dress known as No4s – the traditional lighter-blue shirt and trousers worn by sailors at sea – it is the first major change to naval dress since the Second World War. HMS Lancaster’s sailors are the first ship to wear the clothing which is now dark blue and more modern, comfortable and fire retardant. It can be adapted to different climates, will offer more protection from flash fires and is designed to address corporate image with more Royal Navy branding, notably a large White Ensign on the left shoulder. Badges denoting rank will also be worn at the front rather than on the shoulders. Pictured Left to Right: Able Rating Jackson (old uniform) and LT Strachan (new uniform) on board HMS LANCASTER, 19 March 2015. [Picture: Crown Copyright]](https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2015/03/POD19.jpg)
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