Britain's Tory Defence Secretary was yesterday branded a "warmonger."
Liam Fox, a right-winger with links to America's neo-cons, was making a speech to the think tank Chatham House when he was accused of abandoning peacekeeping roles for Britain's armed forces after he outlined a war-footing stance.
Dr Fox was making a speech on international affairs when audience member Gordon Glass accused him of being aggessive towards the world. Glass shouted: 'I was alarmed by your belligerent tone. It was neo-con."
Mr Glass was by-passed and another questioner was instead invited to ask questions to the Scotsman, who is MP for North Somerset. Mr Fox refused to answer Mr Glass's question.
During the speech Dr Fox claimed that America was Britain's most important ally and that Britain must "have a war-fighting edge". He said it was important that Britain have a war-footing stance across the globe.
Warmonger blast at MoD chief Liam Fox
By Chris Hughes
14/07/2010
Right-wing Defence Secretary Liam Fox was branded a "reactionary neo-conservative" yesterday at a key debate on the future of our military.
He was accused of abandoning peacekeeping roles for our armed forces after he outlined a war-footing stance.
Dr Fox was lecturing international affairs think-tank Chatham House in London on security threats when one of the audience accused him of being aggressive towards the world.
Chatham House member Gordon Glass, from Bath, demanded of the Tory: "What happened to our priority of peace-keeping in the world?" He added: "I was alarmed by your belligerent tone. It was neo-con and ran the full spectrum of domination and reactionary policy towards the world."
Mr Glass was then by-passed and another questioner invited to quiz the minister. Dr Fox - who refused to answer the peacekeeping question - had claimed that America was our most important ally and that we must "have a war-fighting edge".
He said: "The transatlantic alliance is the UK's most important strategic relationship and Nato will remain the UK's instrument of first choice for collective security challenges and the cornerstone of our defence."
The Defence Secretary made it clear he wanted the UK to maintain a war-footing stance across the globe, minimising cuts to the defence budget.
He also appeared to suggest our forces will become streamlined yet more geared towards offensive strike operations.
Members of the British SAS with a prisoner in Afghanistan
And he emphasised the role of the SAS, Special Boat Service and Special Reconnaissance Regiment, saying: "They will need to be more agile, adaptable and mobile. The ability to deploy special forces will be essential."
Chatham House think tank
The Chatham House think tank, based in London, is a think tank whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. It takes its name from its premises, a grade I listed 18th century house in St. James's Square in London designed in part by Henry Flitcroft. Three British Prime Minister have lived in Chatham House - William Pitt the Elder (PM from 1766-1768 ), Edward Smith-Stanley (PM in 1852 and from1858-1859 and 1866-1868 ) and William Gladstone (PM from 1868-1874, 1880-1885, 1886, and 1892-1894). Chatham House was named the top non-US think tank by Foreign Policy magazine. Chatham House was also listed as one of the top "scholars" for being among a handful of stars of the think tank world who are regularly relied upon to set agendas and craft new initiatives.
dailymail.co.uk
Liam Fox, a right-winger with links to America's neo-cons, was making a speech to the think tank Chatham House when he was accused of abandoning peacekeeping roles for Britain's armed forces after he outlined a war-footing stance.
Dr Fox was making a speech on international affairs when audience member Gordon Glass accused him of being aggessive towards the world. Glass shouted: 'I was alarmed by your belligerent tone. It was neo-con."
Mr Glass was by-passed and another questioner was instead invited to ask questions to the Scotsman, who is MP for North Somerset. Mr Fox refused to answer Mr Glass's question.
During the speech Dr Fox claimed that America was Britain's most important ally and that Britain must "have a war-fighting edge". He said it was important that Britain have a war-footing stance across the globe.
Warmonger blast at MoD chief Liam Fox
By Chris Hughes
14/07/2010
Right-wing Defence Secretary Liam Fox was branded a "reactionary neo-conservative" yesterday at a key debate on the future of our military.
He was accused of abandoning peacekeeping roles for our armed forces after he outlined a war-footing stance.
Dr Fox was lecturing international affairs think-tank Chatham House in London on security threats when one of the audience accused him of being aggressive towards the world.
Chatham House member Gordon Glass, from Bath, demanded of the Tory: "What happened to our priority of peace-keeping in the world?" He added: "I was alarmed by your belligerent tone. It was neo-con and ran the full spectrum of domination and reactionary policy towards the world."
Mr Glass was then by-passed and another questioner invited to quiz the minister. Dr Fox - who refused to answer the peacekeeping question - had claimed that America was our most important ally and that we must "have a war-fighting edge".
He said: "The transatlantic alliance is the UK's most important strategic relationship and Nato will remain the UK's instrument of first choice for collective security challenges and the cornerstone of our defence."
The Defence Secretary made it clear he wanted the UK to maintain a war-footing stance across the globe, minimising cuts to the defence budget.
He also appeared to suggest our forces will become streamlined yet more geared towards offensive strike operations.
Members of the British SAS with a prisoner in Afghanistan
And he emphasised the role of the SAS, Special Boat Service and Special Reconnaissance Regiment, saying: "They will need to be more agile, adaptable and mobile. The ability to deploy special forces will be essential."
Chatham House think tank
The Chatham House think tank, based in London, is a think tank whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. It takes its name from its premises, a grade I listed 18th century house in St. James's Square in London designed in part by Henry Flitcroft. Three British Prime Minister have lived in Chatham House - William Pitt the Elder (PM from 1766-1768 ), Edward Smith-Stanley (PM in 1852 and from1858-1859 and 1866-1868 ) and William Gladstone (PM from 1868-1874, 1880-1885, 1886, and 1892-1894). Chatham House was named the top non-US think tank by Foreign Policy magazine. Chatham House was also listed as one of the top "scholars" for being among a handful of stars of the think tank world who are regularly relied upon to set agendas and craft new initiatives.
dailymail.co.uk