Decline of armed forces

Sir, – In politics it is usually what is not said that is more important, and so it is with defence secretary Gavin Williamson’s statement that “dead terrorists can’t cause any harm to Britain” and belief that no terrorist “should ever be allowed back into this country.”

Mr Williamson has nothing to say about the reportedly 425 Britons who have already returned home, out of the estimated 850 Britons who fought for self-styled Islamic State.

Realistically, we would need criminal standard evidence to take action against the returnees.

His belief that no terrorist should be allowed to return is just that, a belief; it is not government policy.

Nor is it easy to see how such a policy could be implemented without revoking British citizenship.

This would inevitably lead to court challenges and again, problems of evidence.

It is not just in the sphere of counterterrorism that the government strives to give the illusion of security.

Our already inadequate armed forces are being asked to make further cuts to both

manpower and equipment.

All too many of the navy’s ships are tied up in port and not fit to fight, and a question mark hangs over the future of our two amphibious assault ships.

I can only conclude that the decline of our armed forces and of our security will continue under the grandstanding new defence secretary.

Otto Inglis. 6 Inveralmond Grove, Edinburgh.