MOD CULTURE OF DENIAL AND DECEPTION IS EXASPERATING - HARVEY

10.40.33am GMT Thu 4th Mar 2010

Commenting on today's Defence Committee report, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said: "This report shows the shambolic state of the UK's defence equipment programme.

"It is exasperating to learn how pervasive the culture of denial and deception among MoD officials is when it comes to acknowledging the £21 billion funding gap in defence procurement.

"The British taxpayer deserves to know the exact amount of debt he or she is expected to carry. No MoD official should be allowed to withhold or distort this knowledge.

"Only by enforcing regular independent reviews as well as routine MoD presentations to the Committee can this attitude be corrected. And I support the Committee's recommendations towards that end."