Today’s papers feature coverage of ISIL, with varying focuses, along with stories on expanding cadet forces and plans for a new military memorial.
ISIL
The Sunday Times and the People report that Prime Minister David Cameron has invited acting Labour leader Harriet Harman and shadow Defence secretary Vernon Coaker to attend a National Security Council (NSC) meeting on the threat from ISIL in the wake of the Tunisian beach massacre. Articles add that Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has discussed extending RAF airstrikes against ISIL militants in Iraq over the border into their Syrian stronghold after gunman Seifeddine Rezgui killed 38 tourists. The Sunday Telegraph reports that one of Britain’s most notorious jihadists, Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary, 25, has left ISIL and is on the run in Turkey, according to security sources. The article says he is among a growing number of disillusioned Westerners to have left the terror group in the face of sustained coalition bombing.
The Sunday Mirror and the Sun on Sunday both report that an American air strike in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, has killed local ISIL leader Hafiz Saeed along with 30 other militants. And the Sunday Express reports that former British Ambassador to Libya, Sir Dominic Asquith, has told a House of Lord committee on EU external affairs that there is a “strong desire” in Libya for an active role from Britain in particular. The piece adds that this could involve sending troops in to the country to tackle both ISIL and the Mediterranean migrant crisis.
Cadet forces
The Sunday Express carries a positive article about the Government‘s plans to expand cadet forces to 550 state schools. The article includes comments from a former adviser to David Cameron and chairman of the Cadet Bursary Fund, Shaun Bailey, who says the expansion will “save Britain’s inner city youth from gang culture and Islamic radicalism”, adding that his own experience helped to shape his life for the better. The article goes on to say that in last week’s Budget Chancellor George Osborne pledged a £50 million cash boost to provide 300 more Army cadet units in England’s most deprived areas by 2020, adding that 250 state schools already have Army cadet units in the Government’s Cadet Expansion programme.
New memorial
The Sun on Sunday carries an opinion piece from Prime Minister David Cameron, thanking the paper and its readers for raising over £1 million to help fund a new memorial for those who died in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. He says that it will stand for all those who contributed, not just those who fell, and all that was achieved. Mr Cameron also adds that the Government’s support remains for our Armed Forces - from enshrining the Covenant in law, to committing to spending 2 per cent of our GDP on Defence. The paper’s leader adds its thanks to its readers, saying that creating a culture of remembrance is very important for future generations.
Drug tests
The Sunday Telegraph writes that over the last decade, close to 500 soldiers were dismissed each year after failing compulsory drugs tests. The article goes on to say that the findings have triggered warnings that the Armed Forces has a hidden "drugs problem” and calls for a Commons investigation, adding that the issue is compounding a recruitment problem the British military has attracting new Reserves.
An Army spokesperson said:
Substance misuse is incompatible with life in the Armed Forces. Where anybody is found to have fallen short of our high standards they will be disciplined appropriately.
KPMG contract
The Independent on Sunday carries a story about a £30 million consultancy contract awarded by the MOD to KPMG. The piece adds that the MOD has been accused of “Soviet” style practices by some of the bidders who lost out, who feel the bid scoring was unfair, and says that officials have been forced to review their decision to hand KPMG a three-year deal to coach military and civil personnel in business and budgetary skills. The MOD’s position, that the bidding process was undertaken in line with procurement regulations and that we cannot comment further until the contract award, is included in the piece.
Equipment sales
The Sun on Sunday and the People include stories about the sale of military equipment, from Range Rovers to armoured vehicles, which the articles say are being sold as “MOD cutbacks bite” and the Army shrinks. The Sun on Sunday article features comments from Shadow Defence minister Kevan Jones, who says that the Government needs to explain why this equipment is being offloaded in such a hurry.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our £160 billion, 10-year equipment plan will ensure that our personnel have the right equipment at the right time. When we do sell equipment that is surplus to requirement, this is often done through specialist contractors to ensure we get the best value for money for the taxpayer.
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