Help for Heroes dragged into General Sir Richard Dannatt 'smear campaign'
A charity which helps wounded soldiers has been dragged into an alleged smear campaign against the outgoing head of the British army, General Sir Richard Dannatt.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the Ministry of Defence, and uncovered by The Sunday Telegraph, asks for publication of any correspondence between Gen Dannatt and Hadyn Parry, the chairman of the Help for Heroes charity.
It comes after Labour MPs and ministers were accused of using FOI laws to make trouble for Sir Richard by unearthing his expenses claims, after he publicly criticised the lack of resources given by the Government to the troops in Afghanistan.
Whilst the MoD would not disclose who was behind the Help for Heroes FOI request, which was submitted in June, Conservative MPs claimed it looked like fresh evidence of a smear campaign.
Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said: "There is no target that Brown's bullyboys will not pick upon to protect themselves or divert attention from their catastrophic management of the military. New Labour is now the most corrosive and corrupting influence in British politics."
Whoever submitted the FOI request could have been seeking to find out whether Gen Dannatt had claimed expenses from Help the Heroes following his unpaid work on the charity's behalf.
Mr Parry described Gen Dannatt's work for the charity as "exemplary". He said: "Sir Richard has done a tremendous job for the charity. His work has been exemplary – beyond reproach.
"He has never submitted any expenses claims, nor have any of the other charity trustees, because we want as much money to be spent on charitable work as possible."
Last week it was revealed that, on a tip-off from inside government, several FOI requests were submitted to expose the 58-year-old general's expenses. Kevan Jones, the Veterans Minister, was named on political website Guido Fawkes as the figure behind it. But he dismissed the accusation as summer tittle-tattle and heaped praise on Gen Dannatt.
Mr Jones last night denied again that there was a smear campaign, saying: "I do not know anything about this Freedom of Information request, nor do I know anything about Freedom of Information requests that were put in as part of a campaign against Sir Richard."
When allegations of a smear campaign first emerged a month ago, Bob Ainsworth, the Defence Secretary, sent a note to all his ministers – Mr Jones; Quentin Davies, Defence Equipment and Support; Bill Rammell, Armed Forces; Lord Drayson, Strategic Defence Acquisition; and Baroness Taylor, International Defence and Security – warning them not to brief against General Dannatt and demanding "complete support" for military commanders.
But last week it emerged that a minister had discussed "chasing" Gen Dannatt over his expenses in an attempt to smear him. Requests were allegedly made under the FOI Act, with the backing of the unnamed minister, to find out the extent of entertaining by the general, who retires as Chief of the General Staff next week.
It was also alleged that a minister had called Gen Dannatt a "complete bastard" for making so many public statements critical of the resources given to the troops in Afghanistan.
The latest revelations will renew pressure on ministers over the affair. Edward Davey MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, has today written to Mr Ainsworth, asking for further assurances that Gen Dannatt will not become the "target of spin" and that any minister caught briefing against him will be sacked.
Mr Davey said: "As I am sure you will agree, General Dannatt's views on Afghanistan have provided a vital contribution to the debate on how we best support our troops in this intense conflict. They were rooted not in a desire to play politics but in a sense of duty which requires that he does everything in his power to support the brave men and women of whom we ask so much. It is my view that he has in fact shown remarkable restraint in not speaking out sooner on the acute shortages of equipment that have hampered operations in Afghanistan.
"A man who has served with the distinction, bravery and commitment of General Dannatt must not become the target of spin and smear. You must provide cast iron reassurances that he will not be subject to any such campaigns from within your department. Have any such moves already taken place, I trust that you will not hesitate to remove from office any minister who has been involved. Only in this way can what I hope are rumours of these utterly distasteful plans be put to rest."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/6073767/Help-for-Heroes-dragged-into-General-Sir-Richard-Dannatt-smear-campaign.html
Posted By: Lottie Mather
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