General Barrons warns cuts could tip armed forces into "institutional failure"

General Sir Richard Barrons has warned that the government will be "responsible for tipping the armed forces into institutional failure" unless it reverses cuts to defence spending. In evidence given to the House of Commons Defence Committee today, the ex-Defence Chief also warned that Britain's armed forces are "20 years out of date," and described proposals to cut the number of Royal Marines as "folly." Sir Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson, commented: “This scathing criticism from a top former general emphasises the increasingly fragile nature of Britain’s defence capabilities. “The government must listen to this stark warning. “If ministers aren’t willing to properly fund our armed forces, Britain’s ability to contribute to NATO and other joint operations will be severely diminished.”