This morning’s defence-related broadcast headlines include the BBC reporting across Breakfast and BBC R4 Today that 18 Hurricanes and six Spitfires will fly over south-east England later today to mark 75 years since the Battle of Britain's "Hardest Day".
The special commemoration staged from the former RAF airfield at Biggin Hill, now a commercial airport, will honour the pilots, engineers, armourers, operations staff and ground crews who faced attack from the Nazi Luftwaffe.
Chilcot Inquiry
The Daily Mail carries comments from Defence Secretary Michael Fallon urging Sir John Chilcot to end the suffering of grieving families by publishing the overdue report into the Iraq war. The article reports that the Defence Secretary said the examination of the reasons why Britain took part in the 2003 invention which killed 179 UK lives should be published without further delay. In a subsequent nib, comments from Labour leadership contender Yvette Cooper state that Parliament should impose a deadline for the publication of the Iraq inquiry’s findings.
The Daily Star reports that Sir John Chilcot has been on holiday while his report has continued to be delayed. The piece contains comment by grieving relatives saying that this “adds insult to injury”. The Daily Telegraph and The Times report that a former High Court judge, Baroness Butler-Sloss, has criticised the “inordinate” delay in the publication of the report.
Afghan interpreters
The Daily Mail reports that an Afghan military interpreter, who served with the Parachute Regiment and was denied refuge by Britain, has been executed trying to reach the West. The article states that the translator, known as Popal, was tortured and murdered after being captured in Iran. The piece says another four interpreters are feared to have suffered the same fate while using people smugglers to flee the Taliban and comments from a number of former interpreters who are considering paying people smugglers to get them to Western Europe.
The article references how UK officials stress each case is individually examined and assessed by British officials in Afghanistan. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
We recognise the vital role local staff, including interpreters, played in operations in Afghanistan. That is why, as well as offering a generous redundancy package in recognition of this service, we have an expert team in Kabul, including experienced detective inspectors, to thoroughly investigate claims of intimidation made by local staff.
The team provides bespoke security advice, assists with relocations within Afghanistan and, where necessary, relocation to the UK. We look carefully at every case and they can of course be re-opened should new evidence of intimidation emerge.
Battle of Britain
The Daily Star reports that the Royal Mint has released a special coin to celebrate the 75th anniversary of a key conflict in the Battle of Britain known as “The Hardest Day”. The 50p coin is shown in a picture with veteran Tony Pickering who fought in the RAF in the Battle.
Image of the day
