Insult to injury

Judging by the reaction of the British troops the Prime Minister addressed yesterday in Afghanistan they were not exactly delighted to see him. It is hard to know exactly why; perhaps it's the result of the often appalling state of forces family accommodation back home; or maybe the failure to address their legitimate concerns about their leave arrangements; or perhaps it is the use of the troops by the Prime Minister for political advantage whenever he is in a domestic pickle (almost all the time currently!).

Yesterday he added insult to injury when he compared our troops efforts to those of our athletes in Beijing. He said "This week we are celebrating the Olympics where we have had great success, but this week also I believe that our Olympic athletes and everybody else in our country will remember that you have showed exactly the same courage, professionalism and dedication."

This comparison is not worthy of our troops and frankly is an insult to the sacrifices they and their families make, and risks they take on our behalf, every day. No wonder they feel the military covenant is broken.