Ex-defence chiefs criticise Afghan policy
Gordon Brown's policy on Afghanistan has come in for stiff criticism from three former defence chiefs.
The comments from General Lord Guthrie, Admiral Lord Boyce and Field Marshal Lord Inge follow another bloody week for British troops deployed in the country.
Lord Guthrie accused the Prime Minister of "dithering" over his promise to send 500 extra troops, while Lord Boyce said the Government "did not realise we are at war".
Lord Inge claimed the Armed Forces never really believed Mr Brown was "on their side".
Speaking in a debate on the armed forces in the House of Lords, Lord Guthrie also urged the Government to increase the number of helicopters in Afghanistan.
"Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have said the front line can have what they ask for," he said.
"Commanders need helicopters, in addition to logistics and transport and administration, to save lives and to outwit and unsettle the enemy and disrupt his activities."
On Friday, the Prime Minister insisted Britain would not "walk away" from the war-torn country but also warned Afghanistan's re-elected president that he would "forfeit the right to international support" if he failed to root out corruption.
