Fox warns Cameron on defence cuts

Defence Secretary Liam Fox has warned the Prime Minister that "draconian" spending cuts while the country is at war will result in "grave consequences", it was reported last night.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Sep 2010, 19:20 BST
Updated 29th Sep 2010, 01:03 BST

In a private letter leaked to the Daily Telegraph, he advised David Cameron the risk of “seriously” damaging morale across the Armed Forces “should not be underestimated”.

And he warned the party could provoke a “brutal” international reaction if it fails to “recognise the dangers and continue to push for such draconian cuts at a time when we are at war”.

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In his letter, written ahead of today’s National Security Council (NSC) meeting on the Strategic Defence and Security Review the Defence Secretary refused to back any substantial reduction in the Armed Forces.

Dr Fox also suggests the Tories could destroy “much of the reputation and capital” they have accrued on defence.

If cuts go ahead he warns the “range of operations that we can do today we will simply not be able to do in the future”.

Dr Fox said last night he was “appalled” his letter had been handed to the Press and described the leak as “totally unacceptable”.

Related topics:Prime MinisterDavid CameronArmed Forces