EFL
Geoff Hoon, the defence secretary, is blocking a plan to break the ancient taboo preventing anyone from saying anything officially about the activities of Britain’s special forces. Senior military figures, and even civil servants within the Ministry of Defence, say the existing policy is untenable as special forces are playing an increasingly important role in military operations. The SAS and the SBS, its naval equivalent, are operating in Iraq and Afghanistan in guerrilla warfare and intelligence-gathering operations suited to small, highly mobile units, often with US and Australian special forces whose activities can be reported more freely and accurately.
The Commons defence committee said last week it was told by the MoD about special forces operations but not to tell anyone else. "Because of this longstanding policy on the part of MoD not to speak publicly about the contribution, we have been unable to cover their activities in the way they deserve," it said. The official blanket ban has not stopped inaccurate reporting, though this does not always worry defence chiefs. "It can amount to useful disinformation," a senior military source told the Guardian.
Mr Hoon revealed his approach at a recent lunch with defence correspondents. "You write guff anyway," he said. "It [more openness] will not stop you writing guff."
Ouch |