Army General quits over Afghanistan

Another senior Army General has quit after apparently criticising some aspects of the war in Afghanistan including a lack of equipment for the troops.

Major General Andrew Mackay, was the General Officer Commanding Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England and however the Ministry of Defence tries to play it down by saying the resignation was for "personal reasons".

Major Nick Haston, who was Major General Mackay's deputy chief of staff, resigned from the army earlier this year in protest at policy and equipment shortages.

Officers such as Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Tootal and Major Sebastian Morley had expressed concern about equipment shortages.

Brigadier Ed Butler, of 16 Air Assault Brigade, also voiced concerns when he resigned, and General Sir Richard Dannatt stepped down as head of the army after repeatedly speaking out to highlight what he said were equipment shortages and poor pay and conditions.

How many more troops and senior officers have to resign and give up their incredible careers over equipment shortages? The right answer should be none, it really shouldn't need the grandstanding from the Prime Minister we have seen, or even Nick Clegg to have to call on the Labour Government to properly equip our brave men and women who serve in the armed forces.

Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats have also gone one step further and are demanding fair pay for our troops, you can read all about the campaign on Nick Clegg's website.