Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said the prime minister did not agree with comments made by Gen Sir Patrick Sanders in a speech yesterday, and was forced to insist there would be no return to national service, which was abolished in 1960.
"Hypothetical scenarios" involving possible future wars were "not helpful", the No 10 spokesperson added, as the row opened up a rift between the Conservatives and the military at a time when cuts mean the army is at its smallest for more than 300 years.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) also distanced itself from the speech, which was released by the British army on behalf of the senior general, who is due to leave in the summer having missed out on becoming head of the armed forces three years ago.
Speaking at a military conference, Sanders starkly described the British people as part of a "prewar generation" who may have to prepare themselves to fight in a war against an increasingly aggressive Russia.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 25, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
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