Your 'false' claims damage troop morale, Tories told

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth accuses the Tories of threatening troop morale in Afghanistan with 'false claims' about equipment shortages.

He went on the offensive after months of criticism of the Government over the number of helicopters, type of armoured vehicles and other kit being provided for Britain's 9,000 soldiers in the war-torn country.

Mr Ainsworth singled out shadow defence secretary Liam Fox, accusing him of not "bothering to check his facts" notably over the sending of Ridgeback armoured vehicles to Afghanistan, insisting this was being done ahead of schedule.

The Defence Secretary was due to tell Labour's annual rally in Brighton: "Liam, false claims don't just damage the Government.

"They risk damaging the morale of both our troops and the public.

"They risk damaging the mission."

Amid falling public support for the war, Mr Ainsworth warned against pulling out British forces too quickly.

"The terrorists would be characterised as the winners, we would be the losers," he was due to add.

Mr Ainsworth's speech came as the body of a soldier killed in Afghanistan was being repatriated today.

Private James Prosser, 21, from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, was killed in an explosion in Musa Qala in the southern Helmand province on Sunday, bringing the UK military death toll in the eight-year conflict to 218.