Today's news is dominated by the Labour conference. Broadcasters are leading with the expected vote on Labour's position on the future of the nuclear deterrent.
Syria
The Sunday Telegraph, Observer and the Independent report that Britain is to abandon its demand that the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad must be removed from power to bring peace to the country. The papers suggest that Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to signal the 'major shift in policy' on a trip to the UN in New York this week, and further suggest that it will form part of a plan to win international support, including from Russia, to defeat ISIL, which is now seen as a more urgent priority than regime change.
The Sunday Express also reports on this story and speculates that a vote on airstrikes in Syria is set to be delayed because the Government doesn’t know which way Labour will vote.
Isil
Mark Hookham, Defence correspondent for the Sunday Times writes today from RAF Akrotiri, where he has joined the the RAF on a frontline mission over Iraq. Mark Hookham writes that Air Commodore Martin Sampson, the RAF commander leading Britain's war against ISIL, declared that the terrorist group was "on the path to defeat". The Air Commodore is reported to have also said that interviews with former terror fighters had revealed that bombing by the US-led coalition had left Isil "under pressure" and demoralised. The positive article details the various assets involved in tackling Isil including a large infographic of the Sentinel aircraft.
Fitness tests
The Sunday Times and Sun on Sunday carry short stories on figures released under the Freedom of Information Act which show that "thousands of troops" have failed fitness tests. Articles reports that in the 12 months to June 2015, 4,339 soldiers failed, while a further 1,663 RAF service personnel and 588 sailors were also unfit.
An MOD spokesperson said:
It is a condition of service that our personnel must be fit and healthy and the vast majority pass the regular, challenging fitness tests. If they fail they are put on a targeted programme to help them back to the required levels.
Private Shaun Stocker
The story of blast injury victim Shaun Stocker, who successfully received sperm salvage treatment and is expecting a child at Christmas, features in today’s Mail on Sunday. The article focuses on the nature of the treatment and how it has changed the lives of individuals who have received it.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our Armed Forces make a tremendous contribution and sacrifice and deserve the very best support. Sperm salvage for future fertility is now a core part of our initial combat trauma care; this uniquely innovative approach is a key advancement which helps casualties cope with their injuries and gives them hope of having a family in the future. A number of children have already been born as a result of this procedure and we are delighted that more are on the way.
Military dogs
The Sunday Telegraph also ran a positive feature today on a new book, Dogs of Courage, which highlights the heroic exploits of military dogs. The article features an interview with RAF Police dog handler Cpl Stacey Graham, along with pictures of her dog Demon, who won the UK dog trials this summer.
Nuclear submarine
The Mail on Sunday speculates that a UK nuclear submarine has been caught on camera on Google Earth after it apparently became stricken with technical problems while on a 'secret mission'. According to the paper, satellite images reportedly show the Royal Navy vessel undergoing repairs at a port less than 100 nautical miles from Iran.
An MOD spokesperson said:
We do not comment on submarine activity.
Submarine spending
Defence chiefs have spent £33.5m on “golden handcuffs” pay to keep Britain's nuclear-powered subs at sea reports today's Sun newspaper. The paper suggests that Naval engineers and weapons experts got bonuses of up to £25,000 this year to stop them quitting for jobs in the nuclear power industry.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Sustaining nuclear skills across Defence is vital. That is why the Government and industry work together to ensure a skills base capable of meeting the demands of the nuclear sector. The MOD offers pay and allowances that allow us to recruit and retain personnel with the skills to support the Defence Nuclear Programme.
