RAF officer speaks out on rapid reaction force

An RAF officer serving with Nato in Brussels today publicly attacked the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force.

Wg Cdr Keith Douglas said he fears politics will ‘‘prevail over common sense’’ in the debate over the so-called Euro Army.

He said he has given up hope of hearing ‘‘plain truths’’ spoken about the Government’s ‘‘apparently inexorable move towards a European defence force.’’

‘‘Defence is off the Government’s current agenda, but the question still remains of whether it will return in time for us to sustain our ability to ‘‘punch at our weight,’’’ he wrote in a letter to a British newspaper.

‘‘God help us if we have to punch above it.’’

His criticism followed calls for a full debate on the plans by retired generals and admirals from Britain and France.

Serving members of the Armed Forces are supposed to get permission from their commanding officer before commenting on political issues.

Wg Cdr Douglas told the newspaper he was speaking out because he and many of his colleagues involved in European cooperation were sceptical about the plans.

‘‘We’re pushing like hell to make this work. But not many of us have any optimism about the outcome.’’