British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon was today labelled a liar and a hypocrite by the lawyer for the family of David Kelly as he launched a blistering attack on the Ministry of Defence.

The British government is poised to announce the first compulsory call up of army reserves since the Suez crisis to help in the war on terrorism, it was reported today.

Up to 200 Royal Marine commandos are expected to be on the streets of Kabul by Saturday.

The British Government was not being ‘‘wishy-washy’’ over its missile defence policy, British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon insisted today.