Forces ‘not set for £20bn cut’

LIAM Fox has hinted at a ‘compromise’ on defence spending after Tory MPs raised concerns about cuts.

The International Trade Secretary spoke up after several MPs voiced worries, including former Army officers Johnny Mercer and Tom Tugendhat.

The Ministry of Defence has asked the Army, Navy and RAF to suggest options for cuts in an effort to save £ 0billion. The Army has already been reduced from 1 0,000 to 78,000 soldiers.

Last week it was reported that Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood had threatened to quit if Army personnel numbers are cut by a further 1 ,000. The Government says the proposal is not on the table.

Yesterday Dr Fox, a former Defence Secretary, told Sky News there was an ‘ongoing discussion’.

He added: ‘We should wait and see exactly what sort of compromise we reach – because that’s what it will be – and remember that the UK is one of the very few Nato countries actually fulfilling promises to spend and help protect our partners.’

Dr Fox said there had been similar tensions during his time at the Ministry of Defence, adding: ‘There’s always tension, not just between the MoD and the Treasury but inside the MoD between the different parts of the Forces, and there are concerns about the future.’

Mr Mercer, a member of the Commons defence select committee, tweeted yesterday about significant unease across the party. ‘It’s a campaign, not a silver bullet, to get defence back where it needs to be,’ he said.

Mr Tugendhat, chairman of the Commons’ foreign affairs select committee, tweeted that defence cuts would be ‘a false economy’.

The Ministry of Defence said no decisions had been made.