Tories accuse Government of putting country's security at risk

THE Government's economic mismanagement has put British security at risk and the Defence Secretary is at odds with the Prime Minister over the need for cuts, the Tories have claimed.

Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox attacked the proposals outlined in the green paper, claiming future defence budgets would have to be conducted against the backdrop of a 799bn debt.

Dr Fox also accused the MoD of "serial mismanagement" on defence procurement, saying its equipment programme was "somewhere between 6bn and 35bn above what can be afforded". Describing the situation as "a national tragedy", he said: "That is the equivalent of borrowing 1.1m every day since the birth of Christ.

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"That our nation's security should be compromised by Labour's historic economic incompetence is truly a national tragedy."

Mr Fox added that Number 10 had been briefing all week that any project with job implications for the Prime Minister's constituency would be spared.

None of the three main parties has said they will protect the defence budget from anticipated spending cuts and all back a root and branch review of defence policy after the election – widely expected to be held in May.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said no cuts had been made in December but that money had been re-prioritised towards equipment needed for Afghanistan.

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"The budget never fell. I moved money within the budget," he insisted.

Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said the defence review must include the future of Trident, whose renewal was backed by MPs in 2007.

The party believes the UK can no longer afford the estimated 20bn replacement cost and believes more cost-effective alternatives must be considered.

Mr Harvey said replacement must have profound implications for the defence budget.