Summary
The Daily Telegraph features an article about how veterans are to benefit from a £35m charitable trust that is being created to help former servicemen settle into civilian life. The Sun reports that British troops in Sangin will get a boost of more forces today when NATO announces that UK forces in Kajaki have been replaced by American forces, allowing around 120 Marines to redeploy to Sangin. The Times reports that President Obama admitted yesterday that US troops could remain in Afghanistan in significant numbers long after next summer, when surge troops are scheduled to be sent home. Various media report that Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker has taken over as the Commander of ISAF forces until General Petraeus takes command. In an article for the Daily Telegraph, former Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, comments that tension between politicians and the military is inevitable, but that it must not get personal. The BBC has reported that final preparations are under way for Armed Forces Day on Saturday and that the Type 23 warship HMS Kent, one of the busiest in the Royal Navy, is the centrepiece of the event in Cardiff.
Sergeant Steven William Darbyshire killed in Afghanistan
It is with regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Sergeant Steven William Darbyshire from 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday 23 June 2010. Click here to read more.
Military covenant to become law
Various media have reported that Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged that the military covenant will be rewritten and enshrined in law for the first time. The covenant is an informal understanding of the state's duty of care to its Armed Forces. Until now, it has been regarded as an obligation rather than a firm rule set out in legislation. Yesterday, Mr Cameron declared that the new Government will underline its commitment to the Armed Forces by putting it into law.
Ruling in Maya Evans High Court case
A High Court judgement has ruled that UK forces can lawfully continue to transfer UK-captured Taliban suspects to the Afghan authorities. The claimant, anti-war protester Maya Evans, believes the transfer policy has led to 'horrible abuse' of detainees, violating international law and human rights.
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "I am pleased that today's High Court judgement rules that UK forces can lawfully continue to transfer UK-captured insurgents to sovereign Afghan authorities. The claimant in this case sought to end the practice of transferring insurgents to Afghan custody. She failed to do so.
"Bringing to justice those who seek to kill and maim British troops, coalition forces and Afghan civilians, including through indiscriminate methods like the laying of roadside bombs, forms an essential part of our current operations. It makes Afghanistan a safer place for our servicemen and women, and it is our duty to do so.
"There is no place for the abuse of detainees. We have always recognised that this is a difficult and challenging area in which our people have to operate and that is why we have specific safeguards and monitoring arrangements in place. These will be reinforced in line with the court's recommendations.
"Working with international partners, under ISAF, the British Government will continue to support all efforts to further improve the Afghan judicial system."
