In Defence-related news on broadcast this morning, BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme reports that the Prime Minister has ordered a clamp down on law firms raising “spurious” claims against soldiers for their actions in conflict.
The Daily Mail splashes with this story, saying No10 has declared war on “ambulance-chasing” law firms who pursue British troops.
Trident
There is widespread coverage of the Defence Secretary’s visit to HMS Vigilant at HMNB Clyde; this follows broadcast coverage on Sky News and BBC News last night. Sky continues to run its package this morning, and claims Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was unequivocal in setting out the case for Trident, saying “we needed the deterrent in the Cold War; but we need it even more now” as he visited the home of UK's nuclear arsenal. It comes, media suggest, amid questions over whether the submarines can remain undetectable in the face of increased detection and monitoring power, as well as concerns over cyber attacks. This story is covered in the Financial Times, Daily Mail and the Daily Express, along with the Daily Telegraph, Sun, Guardian and Times.
Litigation
The Daily Mail, The Sun and Radio 4’s Today programme report that the Prime Minister has declared war on “ambulance-chasing” law firms who are “tormenting” British troops with spurious legal claims. The Prime Minister has ordered the National Security Council to look at proposals around legal aid, no-win no-fee agreements and the civil court regime in a bid to stop the witch-hunt against soldiers who were simply 'doing their jobs', according to the reports. In an unprecedented move, media suggest, Cameron is also threatening to sue law firm Leigh Day to recover millions of pounds spent on the Al-Sweady Inquiry, where cases brought by the law firm were dismissed. Media claim the ‘blitz’ will not stop investigations by the Iraq Historical Allegations Team, but it is designed to have the twin effect of stopping more claims entering the system and to stop spurious legal challenges being lodged when the IHAT decides a claim is unfounded. Law firms such as Leigh Day and Public Interest Lawyers have countered that the Army cannot be above the law.
Chief of the Defence Staff
The Times and Sky News report that Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, current Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, will take over the top post from General Sir Nicholas Houghton in the summer. His appointment will be welcomed by many senior officers within the MOD, it is suggested, who regard him as a strong, smart leader who is not afraid of speaking truth to power.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
I am delighted to announce that Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach will assume the role of Chief of the Defence Staff this summer when General Sir Nicholas Houghton retires. Sir Stuart has been an outstanding VCDS and I look forward to working closely with him in taking the fight to Daesh and ensuring we have the best Armed Forces to keep Britain safe.
Steel
The Daily Mirror splashes with their ‘Save our Steel Campaign’, suggesting that the Government could snub UK steel firms and use cheap imports to build new Royal Navy warships. Furious union leaders have rounded on the Government, it is alleged, after Defence Minister Philip Dunne said that steel for the fleet of Type 26 frigates could be supplied from abroad through multi-billion pound contracts. The paper suggests that this will deny British foundries the sort of vital cash that could secure their futures. The MOD was not approached for comment. An MOD spokesperson said:
While it’s too early in the Type 26 programme to say how the steel will be sourced and it’s right that our contractors should be able to source steel to ensure competitive price and quality, UK suppliers have provided significant quantities of steel for major defence equipment procurement programmes, whenever they have been able to meet specified standards. Our new Government guidelines, published in November, will help UK steel suppliers to compete effectively with international suppliers for major projects, including those in defence.
Poland
There are some reports that the UK will permanently deploy 1,000 military personnel to Poland. In fact, we will deploy 1,000 personnel over the course of this year on a persistent rather than a permanent basis. Read about our commitment to Poland, made in Edinburgh with the Polish Foreign and Defence Ministers and alongside the Foreign Secretary, here.
