It is reported widely this morning that the four injured British citizens following Friday’s attack in Tunisia have been flown home by the RAF, with bodies of some of the victims reportedly expected to be repatriated later this week.
Exercise Strong Tower
The broadcasters and Daily Mail are reporting today that the emergency services and security agencies are to begin a significant terrorism readiness exercise across London to prepare for an attack similar to that carried out in Tunisia.
Tunisia terrorist attack
Print outlets today including The Guardian and the Daily Mirror report on today’s top story that four British citizens injured in the attack in Tunisia on Friday were returned to the UK on board an RAF C17 aircraft overnight.
The Daily Star and Daily Mirror report that Britain is to hold a national minute’s silence on Friday in remembrance of the victims of the attack, after the Prime Minister called the battle against ISIL the “struggle of our generation”.
Countering extremism
The Daily Mail and Independent report that the Prime Minister suggested yesterday that RAF air strikes against ISIL could be extended to Syria, after emphasising that the military must form part of an effective response against ISIL. The Daily Mail article reports that the RAF has flown more than 300 missions against ISIL targets in Iraq, and that MPs would need to vote in favour of extending air strikes to Syria.
Flexible working
The Times carries the expected story on plans to pilot a flexible working scheme allowing working parents to balance a career in the Army with family commitments, and making the Army a more modern employer. The article carries comments made by General Sir Nicholas Carter, who said personnel with children who are not in high readiness roles in operational units should be afforded more flexible working requirements. The article reports that female soldiers comprise 8.9 per cent of the British Army but that this ratio decreases towards the latter stages of a military career. It is hoped that the new scheme will encourage more women to join and stay in the Army, with General Carter suggesting a target of raising the female proportion to around 15 per cent in the next five years. The General’s comments were made ahead of his speech at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference which took place this morning, where he spoke more about the scheme due to be piloted this autumn.
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