MoD chief: UK wants to be America’s ‘deputy sheriff’
Britain is happy to be the United States’ “deputy sheriff” whenever needed, the Ministry of Defence’s senior civil servant has told a Washington audience.
Permanent secretary Ursula Brennan underlined US-UK ties by pledging that Britain’s alliance with the US “remains our pre-eminent defence and security relationship”.
Her comments came as the Iraq inquiry considers the impact of Tony Blair’s close relations with America in London – and is a clear indication of the coalition government’s determination to remain close to Barack Obama’s administration and the American defence establishment.
Ms Brennan told the Heritage Foundation: “We retain our ambition to be the US’s most capable ally, and to act as ‘deputy sheriff’ when needed.”
She said Britain’s commitment to operations in Afghanistan were unchanged and praised the “courage, commitment and leadership” shown in the unstable country by the US.
UK and US personnel continue to train and operate together “in a wide range of environments”, Ms Brennan continued, before pressing that further defence cuts “will fit firmly within the policy framework set out by the strategic defence and security review”.
“I have no doubt that before this process is complete, considerable heat will be generated,” she concluded.
“But you can be confident that our purpose is absolutely clear: to strengthen Britain’s armed forces and our continuing ability to work alongside our US allies where and when required in support of a safer and more secure world.”
Her speech could raise eyebrows back in London, where memories of Mr Blair’s grilling before Sir John Chilcot’s panel over the consequences of the ‘special relationship’ remain strong.
“When we’re in a situation like this we’re going to have to accept it’s going to be difficult because there will be situations where America is determined to go its own way,” the former prime minister said last Friday.
“I did this because I believed in it. Whatever phrasing I used, I accepted entirely I was going to be with America in handling this.”
Speculation about the possibility of further defence cuts is also likely to be fuelled by her comments.
Rumours about the current annual planning round have already seen some stories emerge, but Ms Brennan said the MoD had a firm policy on not commenting on a process “that has some way to run”.
