Fox slams Labour lord for slighting Britain’s allies

Defence Secretary Liam Fox last night criticised “stupid and insensitive” comments by Labour’s former security minister branding Denmark and Belgium as “second-rate” military powers.

Lord West made the “appalling” remarks about Britain’s allies, both of which deployed to Afghanistan and Libya alongside UK forces, as he unveiled a report aimed at tackling delays and overspends in defence procurement.

The Labour peer and former First Sea Lord spoke of his “annoyance” at suggestions that Britain’s military role was diminished in the 21st century.

He said: “We are not a second-tier power. We are not bloody Denmark or Belgium, and if we try to become that, I think we would be worse off as a result.”

His comments came in a question and answer session with 100 defence industry experts and journalists at Labour HQ in London as the party revealed the findings of a ten-month review into defence procurement, aimed at getting better value for money from buying equipment for the UK’s armed forces.

Dr Fox said: “I’m appalled to hear Labour’s Lord West insulting Denmark and Belgium, both of whom have been operating alongside British forces in Libya. Forty-two Danes have lost their lives fighting alongside us in Helmand.

“Lord West’s remarks are both stupid and insensitive.”