Tories attack decision to scrap warship

Wednesday, 3 August 2005 12:00 AM

The Conservatives have said the government is "gambling" with the armed forces, following the decision to scrap the flagship HMS Invincible.

The aircraft carrier will end its 25 years service, which included the 1982 Falklands war, with a ceremony in Portsmouth today.

"To be downgrading our maritime capability at a time of unprecedented international tension is just unbelievable," shadow defence minister Gerald Howarth said. "We are now left with only two aircraft carriers and a dire situation when one of these is undergoing refit or is in dock."

He said a cornerstone of the government's warfare strategy was now missing, showing the government was simply "determined to gamble" with the armed forces.

HMS Invincible was launched in 1977 by the Queen. During the Falklands war, the Duke of York was based on board as a helicopter pilot.

Tags: