Today’s defence related news includes coverage of Remembrance, and the Defence Secretary meeting his US counterpart Jim Mattis
Remembrance Weekend
There is widespread coverage of the anniversary of Armistice Day, including picture stories of the poppy appeal and references to the upcoming Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. The Defence Secretary’s opinion piece is carried in The Sun, where the Defence Secretary pays tribute to the heroes of today and past wars. Mr Williamson also references the rising threats and acts of terror around the world, explaining that we will keep working on strengthening European security and with our great US ally.
Broadcast outlets also cover Armistice Day widely in their morning bulletins, focusing on the events happening around the UK today, with BBC News filming from Westminster Abbey near the Field of Poppies. BBC News also report on the poppy appeal, helping veterans with their transition to civilian life and dealing with injuries.
The Sun also thanks their readers for the £1 million they have raised in their Old Pounds for Poppies appeal.
Defence Secretary hosts first meeting in UK with Secretary Mattis
The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Express and Daily Mail all cover the Defence Secretary hosting General Mattis in MOD Main Building yesterday. All outlets include the US Defense Secretary’s comments that Britain’s Armed Forces are a ‘national treasure’. The Sun, Daily Express and the Daily Mail, include the Defence Secretary’s comments on the closeness of the partnership and the threats both countries face.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
From fighting in the trenches of the Great War to countering Russian aggression and tackling Daesh today, the UK has been America’s closest partner for a century. Today our countries are cooperating on everything from operations and intelligence to innovation and this meeting is an opportunity to continue strengthening our special relationship.
You can read more about the meeting here.
MOD civil servant numbers
The Times carries a piece this morning on MOD civil servant numbers and speculation on the Royal Marines
An MOD spokesperson said:
No decisions on the cross-governmental review of national security capabilities have yet been made and any discussion of the outcomes is pure speculation. We have already reduced our civilian workforce by 28,500 since 2010, and remain committed to a further 30% reduction by 2020, as outlined in SDSR 2015.
Image of the day
