So who is telling porkies then?

The BBC has this today, following the uproar over helicopters in Afghanistan.

A senior minister who is leaving office has said that UK forces in Afghanistan are short of helicopters.

The government also failed to warn the public about the effects of the current offensive, Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown told the Daily Telegraph.

Eighteen servicemen have died this month, leading to claims that a lack of helicopters has put troops at risk.

However, Chancellor Alistair Darling said the Treasury has never refused requests for more equipment or troops.

His was the latest in a string of government statements insisting the Army has the necessary equipment for its role in the campaign, as part of a Nato-led coalition.

But Lord Malloch Brown - who steps down at the end of the month - told the Telegraph: "We definitely don't have enough helicopters."

Most of the British Army's casualties during the Helmand offensive - aimed at shoring up security ahead of elections scheduled for next month - have been caused by roadside bombs.

And Professor Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute defence forum told the BBC while everyone agreed more "lift helicopters" would help improve flexibility - ultimately troops had to go out on the ground to establish security.

The US had more helicopters but based its forces around the concept of an "air cavalry", he added.

"It's astonishing to me that Malloch Brown has said this before he steps down from the government," he told the BBC.

"He seems to be throwing down a challenge which is to say we have to rethink our strategic priorities over Afghanistan and what we're trying to achieve there. And that's something a number of people have said but for a government minister to say this at this time is very interesting."

Gen Dannatt has said some of his comments about extra resources needed in Afghanistan had been misrepresented and he was involved in "an ongoing dialogue" with No 10 over the issue.

Gordon Brown has said troop levels in Afghanistan will be reviewed after the elections while stressing there are enough troops there to do the job.

He has insisted the armed forces are better equipped than ever.


So it looks like the “powers that be” are.

Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry

Angus Dei-NHS-THE OTHER SIDE