Defence sources have revealed that the Americans only relented and allowed a Royal Navy frigate to join the mission following an intervention from Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president. The revelation that US defence chiefs saw little military value in UK participation will raise new questions about Britain's international clout after Coalition defence cuts. Amid rising tensions in the region, the Royal Navy last month deployed HMS Argyll, a Type 23 frigate, to the Gulf.
Defence sources have revealed that the Americans only relented and allowed a Royal Navy frigate to join the mission following an intervention from Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president.
The revelation that US defence chiefs saw little military value in UK participation will raise new questions about Britain's international clout after Coalition defence cuts.
Amid rising tensions in the region, the Royal Navy last month deployed HMS Argyll, a Type 23 frigate, to the Gulf.
The source described the approach of France and Britain as "classic willy-waving", accusing the two countries of posturing to conceal their military irrelevance to the confrontation with Iran.
Britain had to plead with US to take part in Iran flotilla - Telegraph
British ministers initially signalled they would accept the Washington's conclusion that did not need allies to take part. But the British position changed after Mr Sazkozy insisted to the US that a French warship must be present in the flotilla. Sources said that Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, concluded that if the French were sending a ship, Britain must do so too. His decision to was then endorsed by David Cameron, the Prime Minister.
British ministers initially signalled they would accept the Washington's conclusion that did not need allies to take part.
But the British position changed after Mr Sazkozy insisted to the US that a French warship must be present in the flotilla.
Sources said that Philip Hammond, the defence secretary, concluded that if the French were sending a ship, Britain must do so too. His decision to was then endorsed by David Cameron, the Prime Minister.
... so Cameron's me-too-ism was more about one-upmanship with respect to the French. Or playing gooseberry, if you will. Plain jealousy : "What about our special relationship?" It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II
(My WTFometer is permanently broken now.)
