Army chief accused of 'interfering'

David Blunkett has issued a sharp rebuke to Britain's top soldier for "interfering" in politics.

The former Home Secretary said General Sir Richard Dannatt's outspoken comments on the situation in Iraq was a "constitutional" issue.

Asked on BBC1's Sunday AM programme how he had reacted to Sir Richard's remarks last week, Mr Blunkett said: "I thought 'Please don't try to introduce a new constitutional element', namely that the armed services in our democracy will interfere with the correct role of the Government in making the decisions, and the armed services... (carrying them) out."

Mr Blunkett insisted "lessons" had to be learned from the controversy, but declined to say whether Sir Richard should be sacked.

"I think it's fine that the decisions taken by the Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister are supported.

"I think lessons will be learned, because we don't have the intervention of the military into our decision-making in Britain, and nor should we."

He added: "He's been in the job for a very short period of time and those of us who've been in jobs for a long period of time and still make errors speaking to the Press are beholden in being a little more gentle about it."

There is renewed speculation that Sir Richard's job may be under threat.

The Sunday Mirror quoted two unnamed senior ministers - one in the Cabinet - calling for him to be sacked for stepping outside his remit.

Tory former Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind and former Defence Secretary Michael Portillo have also suggested his position is untenable - despite agreeing with his views on the military campaign.