Importance of Nato’s role stressed to MPs as more troops sent to Afghanistan

Nato is reinforcing not just Britain’s security but the security of the American people, the Tory Foreign Affairs Committee chairman has said.

Tom Tugendhat said the only time the alliance’s Article 5 had been invoked was in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump’s demands for Nato allies to pay more to their collective defence at the start of a two-day alliance summit in Brussels.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told the Commons Nato had recognised it was a “critical time” to give extra support to Afghanistan as he announced 440 extra troops for the Nato mission there, adding that for Nato to work “we all have to invest in it”.

He said: “I will be going to Brussels to have numerous bilateral meetings with our many Nato allies and we need to be hammering home the message that actually for Nato to work we all have to invest in it, we cannot expect one country to be carrying the burden all the time.

“We have all got to show that willingness to invest and this is a message that I know the Prime Minister will be making, it’s also a message that the US will be making and I think it’s a message that’s starting to get through.”

He added: “The unity of allies is the greatest strength of Nato and that is a message I’ m sure everyone will signup to .”

Mr Tugendhat said Nato was the “fundamental underpinning not just of the security of Afghanistan but actually our own security”.

He added: “Today as the summit is starting in Brussels, this is a moment to remember that the only time the Article 5 guarantee has been invoked was when the United States was attacked on 9/11 and we are therefore essentially reinforcing not just our own security nor indeed just the security of the people of Afghanistan, but fundamentally the security of the people of the US.”

Mr Williamson replied: “We mustn’t underestimate the value, we mustn’t underestimate the utility and we need to continue to invest in Nato’s future, keeping us all safe.”

“Today, in response to Nato’s request, and in recognition of a professionalism and competence of our armed forces, I can announce we will be increasing the number of troops to support our existing mission.

“Sending an additional 440 personnel in non-combat roles to take the total UK contribution to around 1,100 personnel.”

He said the decision underlines the UK’s commitment to the Afghan people.