Britain to send more troops to Afghanistan

Defence Secretary Des Browne last night confirmed that more British troops are to be deployed to southern Afghanistan.

Mr Browne said the decision had been taken after efforts to persuade other Nato countries to help bolster the force in the volatile Helmand province failed.

“We are acutely aware that our Armed Forces, particularly the Army, continue to operate at a high operational tempo, but we believe this additional commitment is manageable,” he said in a statement released by the Ministry of Defence.

The government had been expected to announce on Monday that up to 1,000 extra troops would be deployed.

However, Mr Browne said he felt “obliged to clarify the situation” early after widespread media speculation.

He disclosed that the matter had been discussed in cabinet on Thursday, and the “final details” of the force levels were now being drawn up by the MoD.

“The UK has always agreed that Nato needs more forces in these regions, where the Taliban challenge is most serious — in particular, for a greater manoeuvre capability,” he said.

The news follows the announcement this week that the British force in Iraq is to be reduced by 1,600 troops, easing the pressure on the Army. It also emerged as the MoD named the latest British serviceman to become a casualty of the campaign.

Royal Marine Scott Summers died in the UK yesterday after being injured in a road accident in Afghanistan.

The 23-year-old, from Crawley, East Sussex, had been serving with 42 Commando Royal Marines.