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25/09/2009
General Quits Over Afghanistan
Beleaguered PM Gordon Brown is again facing criticism after news that a top army general has resigned.
Major Gen Andrew Mackay, who is reported to have criticised aspects of the war in Afghanistan, was unhappy about strategy.
McKay was General Officer Commanding Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.
He was also the 'theatre' commanding officer when Prince Harry spent 10 weeks from December 2007 in Afghanistan under his command.
While the Ministry of Defence has insisted that the general's departure was a "personal matter", critics of the PM will be quick to blame Gordon Brown and his Defence Secretary for the resignation.
Major Nick Haston, who was the general's Deputy Chief of Staff, also resigned from the Army earlier this year in protest at policy and equipment shortages.
Major Gen Mackay's resignation comes as the Daily Telegraph reported that a mole who leaked details of MPs' expenses said he was partly motivated by anger at inadequate equipment for UK troops.
Already, the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson said Mackay's had battled throughout his career to "improve the lot of the ordinary soldier".
"His departure underlines the serious dissatisfaction that exists within the military over the UK government's strategy in Afghanistan, and the support provided for our forces," he said.
See: MP's Expenses Back In Headlines
(BMcC/GK)
Major Gen Andrew Mackay, who is reported to have criticised aspects of the war in Afghanistan, was unhappy about strategy.
McKay was General Officer Commanding Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.
He was also the 'theatre' commanding officer when Prince Harry spent 10 weeks from December 2007 in Afghanistan under his command.
While the Ministry of Defence has insisted that the general's departure was a "personal matter", critics of the PM will be quick to blame Gordon Brown and his Defence Secretary for the resignation.
Major Nick Haston, who was the general's Deputy Chief of Staff, also resigned from the Army earlier this year in protest at policy and equipment shortages.
Major Gen Mackay's resignation comes as the Daily Telegraph reported that a mole who leaked details of MPs' expenses said he was partly motivated by anger at inadequate equipment for UK troops.
Already, the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson said Mackay's had battled throughout his career to "improve the lot of the ordinary soldier".
"His departure underlines the serious dissatisfaction that exists within the military over the UK government's strategy in Afghanistan, and the support provided for our forces," he said.
See: MP's Expenses Back In Headlines
(BMcC/GK)
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28 August 2009
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07 May 2015
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Around 50,000 polling stations across the UK have opened to allow people to cast their votes in the General Election. Polls opened at 7am and will remain open until 10pm. Around 50 million people are registered to vote in this election, which will see 650 Westminster MPs elected.
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23 January 2015
Broadcasters To Televise General Election Debates
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15 August 2014
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Nigel Farage will stand for election in South Thanet at the next general election. The UKIP leader declared his intention to stand in his column for the Independent, saying that he has thrown his "hat in the ring", ending weeks of speculation.
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11 March 2014
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with a few showers at times. Becoming dry in the afternoon and staying mainly cloudy, but some sunshine breaking through particularly in the east. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Quite cloudy across all counties at first but clear spells most likely towards Down and Antrim, becoming widespread through the evening and overnight. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
