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British army commander quits over Afghan policy
LONDON, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- A senior British army commander has resigned after bitter clashes with the British government over the war in Afghanistan, local media reported on Friday.
The Ministry of Defense said Major-General Mackay resigned for "personal" reasons.
"We can confirm that Major General Andrew Mackay has decided to leave the army. This is a personal matter for him," a ministry spokesperson said.
However, the leading British newspaper Independent reported Friday that Mackay, recently appointed general officer commanding Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England, resigned due to the "inadequate support" given troops and a "lack of clear policy" in the conflict in Afghanistan.
Mackay said that tanks which were supposed to be operational could not get into reverse gear without the engine being restarted. A quarter of the Mastiff armored vehicles were out of action for weeks and the new Vector vehicles were not being used because "the wheels kept falling off."
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee also quoted the major general's views in its report on the Afghan conflict as noting that "we conclude that the British deployment to Helmand was undermined by unrealistic planning at senior levels, poor coordination between Whitehall departments, and crucially, a failure to provide the military with clear direction."
Mackay is the fifth senior officer to leave the forces prematurely in two years amid criticism of Britain's strategy in Afghanistan.
Major Nick Haston, who was Mackay's deputy chief of staff, resigned earlier this year in protest of unclear policy and equipment shortages. Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Tootal and Major Sebastian Morley also left, citing equipment shortages. Brigadier Ed Butler also quit, voicing similar concerns.
General Richard Dannatt stepped down as head of the army in late August after repeatedly speaking out against what he saw as equipment shortages and poor pay and conditions.
The death toll of British troops in Afghanistan since the start of the war in 2001 is 217, with more people in Britain calling for an immediate withdrawal.
LONDON, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- A senior British army commander has resigned after bitter clashes with the British government over the war in Afghanistan, local media reported on Friday.
The Ministry of Defense said Major-General Mackay resigned for "personal" reasons.
"We can confirm that Major General Andrew Mackay has decided to leave the army. This is a personal matter for him," a ministry spokesperson said.
However, the leading British newspaper Independent reported Friday that Mackay, recently appointed general officer commanding Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England, resigned due to the "inadequate support" given troops and a "lack of clear policy" in the conflict in Afghanistan.
Mackay said that tanks which were supposed to be operational could not get into reverse gear without the engine being restarted. A quarter of the Mastiff armored vehicles were out of action for weeks and the new Vector vehicles were not being used because "the wheels kept falling off."
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee also quoted the major general's views in its report on the Afghan conflict as noting that "we conclude that the British deployment to Helmand was undermined by unrealistic planning at senior levels, poor coordination between Whitehall departments, and crucially, a failure to provide the military with clear direction."
Mackay is the fifth senior officer to leave the forces prematurely in two years amid criticism of Britain's strategy in Afghanistan.
Major Nick Haston, who was Mackay's deputy chief of staff, resigned earlier this year in protest of unclear policy and equipment shortages. Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Tootal and Major Sebastian Morley also left, citing equipment shortages. Brigadier Ed Butler also quit, voicing similar concerns.
General Richard Dannatt stepped down as head of the army in late August after repeatedly speaking out against what he saw as equipment shortages and poor pay and conditions.
The death toll of British troops in Afghanistan since the start of the war in 2001 is 217, with more people in Britain calling for an immediate withdrawal.
