The British government is refusing to publicize the current shortage of skilled military personnel to avoid scrutiny, former UK defense officials have claimed.
The allegation was made after the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) allegedly removed data from the public domain and withheld information from members of parliament permitted to receive classified briefings.
It was also revealed last week that the Royal Navy was retiring two of its warships in a move some sources say was due to a current shortage of sailors.
“The government has been trying to hide defense shortfalls from scrutiny,” former navy chief Lord West said, as quoted by the Daily Mail. “I have noticed that many of my questions have not been answered properly on the spurious assertion that it affects national security.”
Because of the alleged secrecy, calls for greater transparency are beginning to surface.
Publishing details about critical shortages in the military would reportedly ensure that the “crisis” will receive proper attention and that officials will be held accountable.
‘Misleading the Public’
Labor defense spokesman John Healey claimed that there is an ongoing “cover-up” of the problem as some ministers are being allowed to dodge questions about the alleged shortage.
The revelation has prompted former Tory defense minister Tobias Ellwood to say that the public is being misled by the ongoing concealment of operational limitations.
He also pointed out that the issue will only trigger further concerns about guaranteeing national security.
“The veil should be lifted… so these critical matters can be addressed,” former navy commander Tom Sharpe added.
By the Numbers
According to a recent report by The Telegraph citing UK MoD data, the country’s military strength stands at 184,865 as of October 1.
The figure was 7,440 lower than last year.
It was reportedly the lowest since the Napoleonic wars in 1815.
The significant decline was attributed to substandard military housing and other questionable policies such as the current ban on beards.