Lettergate

21st October 2010

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I was interviewed about this last week in regards to the almost vicious criticism the Prime Minister received for his letter of condolence. I believe this was blown out of proportion and used by elements of the media to kick a man when he's down rather than it being a credible story in its own right.

I do think we have to be very careful not to disrespect our politicians at a time like this. The hardest decisions of all are actually made by politicians - not by the press, not by senior officers, not by civil servants but politicians from the government we elect. I do not believe for one moment that they take the decision of going to war or exposing our Armed Forces to danger lightly, and I also know that they feel very deeply when a consequence of their decisions involves the injury or death among our fantastic servicemen and women. We cross the line when criticisms of politicians imply that this is not the case.

Mark Cann Director of The British Forces Foundation (These are the personal views of Mark Cann and not necessarily those of the Charity)