Today’s Defence news includes reporting of HMS Enterprise’s extended mission in the Mediterranean, as well as calls from MPs that the Ministry of Defence should be liable for prosecution for the deaths of armed forces personnel killed during training.
HMS ENTERPRISE
In their coverage of Libya, the Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Express, The Sun and The Times write that the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced that HMS Enterprise would expand its mission off the coast of Libya to gather intelligence on terrorist arms-smuggling activities. It is reported that the ship has been patrolling international waters as part of efforts to stop illegal migration and people-smuggling across the Mediterranean. The Sunday Express added that sources say another naval ship will be positioned off the coast of Sirte, ready to intercept any ships carrying extremists or weapons.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
Stopping illegal migration through the central Mediterranean is a priority for the UK. Arrivals on this route are up nearly 50% on this period last year and as the weather improves more people will set out on this perilous journey. This is seeing appalling loss of life and threatening the stability and security of Europe.
That's why we need to step up our efforts to destroy the business model and tackle it at source. I can confirm today that I plan for HMS Enterprise to continue its crucial role during the summer. But if we can increase the scope of the operation, I would also like to see an increased UK role.
That can happen in various ways. Firstly, extending the operation to the East and its intelligence gathering to deal with the smuggling of illegal arms into Libya, a key source of weapons for Daesh.Secondly, looking at how Nato and the EU can work more closely together on this as they are already doing with promising results in the Aegean. Thirdly, of course, the operation should move into Libyan territorial waters as soon as possible.
The appalling attacks in Paris and Brussels underline the need for robust action to tackle the links between illegal migration, terrorism, and arms smuggling that threaten our security.
LIBYA
The Sunday Telegraph reports that British ground forces may be sent to fight terrorists in Libya. The articles follow comments made by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond as Western leaders draw up plans to tackle Daesh in North Africa. According to the articles, Mr Hammond says he cannot 'rule out' the need for ground troops to combat terrorists who have seized a stretch of Libya's Mediterranean coast, however he insists Western allies are waiting for an invitation from the government of Libya before deploying forces to fight or train local militias.
An MOD spokesperson said:
The UK continues to work with international partners on how best to support the new Libyan government. All planning has been focussed on training Libyan Security Forces to provide their own security to the Government and Libyan people. No decisions have been made about the future deployment of any British military forces.
Separately, The Sunday Express writes that British Special Forces are to launch a major offensive against Daesh in Libya ‘within days’. It is our long standing position not to comment on Special Forces.
MOD IMMUNITY
There is widespread coverage in the papers today – including The Sunday Telegraph, The Independent, Sunday Express, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday, Sun – calling for the British military to face charges of corporate manslaughter under changes in law being proposed by a parliamentary committee. According to the papers, it follows a suggestions by MPs that the MOD should no longer enjoy exemption from the law on corporate manslaughter and homicide because a soldier’s live is “worth no less” than a civilian’s.
A MOD spokesperson said:
The safety of our personnel is an absolute priority and, while each death is tragic, deaths in training are rare. We are grateful for the committee’s acknowledgement of how seriously we take the risks associated with training and that we are moving in the right direction. We acknowledge that more needs to be done, which is why we set up the Defence Safety Authority last year. We will now carefully consider this report and respond in due course.
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