Grant Shapps denies incompetence as Navy ships crash: ‘Accidents happen’

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Defence secretary Grant Shapps has denied {that a} collision between two Royal Navy ships within the Middle East reveals incompetence – however admitted one thing “clearly” went incorrect.

The Royal Navy is investigating after on warships was filmed reversing and crashing into the opposite at a harbour in Bahrain.

Mr Shapps informed Sky News on Sunday that “accidents do happen” as he sought to defend the navy over the incident.

“Just as in aviation or many other walks of life sometimes accidents and incidents happen,” he mentioned, when requested if it confirmed “incompetence”.

The minister added: “We don’t say it’s incompetence when we see an aircraft come down … it’s right to leave the investigators some time to work out exactly what’s gone wrong. Something clearly did and we need to see what it is.”

The Royal Navy mentioned there had been no casualties after HMS Chiddingfold was filmed reversing into fellow minehunter HMS Bangor. The Chiddingfold is alleged to stay operational having sustained solely minor harm. However, it’s unclear for a way lengthy Bangor can be out of motion.

Meanwhile, Mr Shapps additionally performed down rising issues concerning the capabilities of the British navy – as he gave the impression to be at odds together with his cupboard colleague Penny Mordaunt.

Ms Mordaunt, the Tory Commons chief, warned that the Royal Navy and its companions should maintain tempo with different nations – or Britain’s pursuits can’t be secured.

Asked about her warnings, Mr Shapps mentioned: “There are a lot of people with opinions and a lot of people who’ve been in the military and armed forces will often express them.”

The defence secretary additionally insisted that the dimensions of the British Army won’t dip under 73,000 – rejecting current projections within the press that it may ultimately sink to 50,000.

“It’s not projected to go down to 50,000. It’s actually, specifically, to 73,000 plus the reserves,” mentioned Mr Shapps.

The defence secretary accepted that the UK’s defence spending was presently under the goal of two.5 per cent of gross home product (GDP). “We are committed to spending more when conditions allow.”

Mr Shapps additionally mentioned chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s concentrate on tax cuts – somewhat than upping defence spending at a time of giant worldwide rigidity – saying his colleague had been “incredibly generous” with an almost 10 per cent pay rise for the armed forces.

He additionally known as for EU nations to “step up” and spend extra in offering better funding for Ukraine as it continues to struggle the Russian invasion.

“Not just America, but Europe needs to step up and do their part to make sure that Ukraine can continue to defend herself,” he informed the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, saying Britain had “led the way”.

Mr Shapps’ grilling on defence spending got here as a report within the Sunday Times raised involved that the Royal Navy was falling behind different nations.

Ms Mordaunt, the cupboard minister who was a Royal Naval Reserve, informed the newspaper: “We must not just ask ourselves by how much Russia and China are increasing their fleets, but why.”

The senior Tory, who represents Portsmouth North seat with naval hyperlinks, later tweeted: “The Royal Navy and its partners must keep pace with the growing capabilities of other nations. If not Britain’s interests cannot be secured.”