In Defence news, ITV’s Good Morning Britain discusses the possibility of a Daesh terror plot targeting popular tourist resorts, linking this to reports that staff working in crowded places are set to be trained for an attack.
LIBYA
The Foreign Secretary’s update to Parliament on the UK’s plans for Libya feature in the Financial Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Times and the Daily Mail, among others. Philip Hammond reportedly sought to reassure sceptical MPs as he insisted that there were no plans for British troops to be involved in frontline fighting against Daesh in Libya. The papers report that he visited Tripoli this week and that he said there had been no request by the new UN-backed Government of National Accord for foreign combat troops on the ground, however, it is suggested the UK could send troops to help train forces.
DAESH
British tourists have been put on high alert before the summer holidays after European security services warned of Daesh plots to attack Mediterranean beach resorts, write The Times and The Daily Telegraph. It is reported that among the threats to beaches on the southern coasts of Italy, France and Spain were jihadists disguised as beach vendors selling ice cream or T-shirts. The Daily Mirror also warns of this apparent plot to bomb beaches and it was also covered briefly on Radio 4’s Today programme.
MILITARY WIVES
The Daily Mail reports that thousands of military wives have been thrown a lifeline that will allow them to build up state pensions for the first time. The article says that forces spouses who accompanied partners on overseas tours of duty were often unable to build up entitlement to the state pension for when they retired, because of the difficulties in securing jobs abroad. It is suggested that under new rules, those who were in this position will be able to earn credits, known as Class 3 NI, to fill in gaps in their records dating as far back as 1975. More on this story can be found here.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
We are making sure that military spouses and partners who spend time based overseas get the State Pension they deserve. This is the latest step under the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure that service personnel and their families are treated fairly.
COURT MARTIAL
The Times, Daily Mirror and The Sun include brief articles on a Royal Marine court martial. The papers say that two marines have gone on trial for their roles in an initiation ceremony at Royal Marine Condor in Arbroath. A Royal Navy spokesperson said:
It would be inappropriate to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.
IRAQI AGENT
An Iraqi agent, paid in part by the MOD, to investigate claims made against British soldiers has been fired, writes the Daily Mail and The Sun. Reports say Abu Jamal helped families of suspected insurgents who had been hurt or killed - his job was to take statements from witnesses and take them to Lebanon to give evidence by video link to the Iraq Historic Allegations Team in Britain. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt said:
I can give the assurance that, although the MOD does not direct the investigations of the Iraq Historic Allegations Team, it is responsible for ensuring that public money is spent well and efficiently. While we can clearly justify investigations into wrong-doing and those that exonerate our Armed Forces, we cannot justify spending money on processes that frustrate those investigations.
