Political role for former Army chief
Updated on 07 October 2009
Former Army chief General Sir Richard Dannatt is expected to be given a political role by working as a defence advisor to Conservative leader David Cameron.
Earlier this week Sir Richard claimed Gordon Brown turned down his request for an extra 2,000 British troops in Afghanistan and now there is speculation he could play a significant role in formulating Britain's defence policies if the Conservatives win the general election next year.
Since leaving the Army earlier this year, Sir Richard has said he believes the Army is fighting the Taliban with "at least part of one arm" tied behind its back.
He fuelled speculation about a Tory role by confirming he would be interested in joining the government "theoretically" and Mr Cameron's spokeswoman refused to give details but confirmed an announcement will be made during the closing speech at the Conservative party conference in Manchester.
Reports suggest Sir Richard will be made a peer, which means he could be made a minister in a Conservative government.
He has certainly made it clear he is open to the offer of a Government role.
He said: "If someone in a future life wants me to do something else, well, let them ask the question and I will give the answer.
"No one has asked me that question, that question has not been put in a public way."
Mr Cameron has confirmed that he has taken informal advice from Sir Richard about defence policy and on the steps that could be taken in Afghanistan.
He said: "I have spoken to him on previous occasions, as well as recently, about his views about how we improve our armed services and support their families and make sure we rebuild that military covenant, how we successfully pursue what we are doing in Afghanistan.
"He is a man of great talent and ability. He has been a great public servant and I think he has more to do."
Conservative MP Chris Grayling was forced to admit he did not know about the impending appointment of Sir Richard.
When asked for his view in a television interview he thought the General had been appointed to work with the Labour government.
He said: "We've seen to many appointments to this government of external people where it's all been about Gordon Brown's PR.
"I'm always suspicious of this government's motives when it does things like this."
Mr Grayling made it clear he had respect for Sir Richard in that interview, but he later made an apology and said he was pleased to have the General on board with the Conservative party.
He said: "I misheard the question and I thought this was a government appointment. I'm really delighted that it is a Conservative appointment.
"I wish I had known beforehand because I would have liked to give Sir Richard Dannatt a more enthusiastic welcome.
"Bringing in people like him in key policy areas is really good news.
"If you look at what the governmemt has done, it hasn't used the experise it has brought in wisely, it's tended to use it for PR purposes. We have to do things differently."
