'Axe Afghan War Lightweights'; Lord Owen Demands New Leadership on Afghanistan to Supersede Defence Secretary and Armed Forces Chief

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Byline: Joe Murphy Political Editor

GORDON BROWN was today urged to appoint a new Cabinet minister over the head of the Defence Secretary and replace the head of the armed forces to strengthen the war leadership in Afghanistan.

The call comes from David Owen, a former foreign secretary, who said there were serious weaknesses in the conduct of the war. In a hard-hitting article for today's Evening Standard he warns: "It is becoming ever clearer that we need a fundamental re-think of our position in Afghanistan."

His comments come as British soldiers were preparing for a private memorial service at the main British Army base in Helmand province, Camp Bastion. …