MICHAEL FALLON, the Defence Secretary, has called for the bombing of Syria to be approved by Parliament.

I wonder does he know that the RAF Tornado Squadron currently doing the work was due to be disbanded just before being tasked to start bombing in Iraq as a requirement of the current defence review.

He and his government have failed to commit to a two per cent of GDP promise for defence spending and are trying to play creative accountancy to meet that hollow promise made at the Nato summit held in Wales.

Now we have gesture politics trying to suggest we have a credible defence capability, he needs to do his sums and fast.

The Army has had a reduction in manpower of around 20,000 and expects further cuts and a draw down in equipment procurement. It is also extracting thousands of troops and their families from Germany and returning to the UK adding to the low morale and overstretch that has been experienced for a very long time.

The Royal Navy has overplayed its procurement hand and is being saddled with two aircraft carriers that will be a massive drain on manpower for decades.

That, of course, is before you mention the lack of aircraft both Navy and RAF, and endless delays and cost over runs.

So Mr Fallon why do you wish to cause more distress coupled with placing our brave service men and women in harm’s way and add to the mess you have already created?

Chris Gallacher, Ukip Redcar.