Cameron said:
I've spoken to him on previous occasions as well as recently about his views about how we improve our armed services... I think he's a man of great talent and ability, he's been a great public servant and I think he's got more to give.
The General has been kicking up a storm about smear tactics and has now told the Beeb the government tried to damage his reputation after "losing the argument" over tactics and ministers had resorted to "politics by smear".
Given that the government has been remarkably straightforward about the decisions it has taken about troop numbers in Afghanistan, it seems that General Dannatt (ret) is the one doing the smearing.
Conservative Chris Grayling MP also seemed to think this is a dodgy appointment by Cameron when he said:
I hope that this isn't a political gimmick. General Dannatt's an experienced figure and should rightly be working alongside government.
Grayling has been subsequently been advised that it is Cameron who wants to keep this particular General out of retirement (more saving on the pension budget) and not Prime Minister Brown.
Chris Grayling is, of course, the Shadow Home Secretary. Number two in Cameron's kitchen. A person who should have a firm grip on what is going on. And another remarkably straightforward reason why you should never, never, vote Tory.
