Ainsworth's pledge on equipping Afghanistan troops

There can be no further deployment of UK troops to Afghanistan unless they are properly equipped, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said today.

He told the Labour Party conference that "we can't put a time limit" on Britain's deployment to Afghanistan but insisted progress was being made.

Mr Ainsworth told delegates: "We can't afford not to be there" and stressed that the security of Britain hinged on Afghanistan and Pakistan being stable and secure.

He said: "For Britain to be secure, Afghanistan needs to be secure, Pakistan needs to be secure.

"The threat may be less visible but it is no less real. The risks of leaving Afghanistan before the job is finished are stark.

"We would have lost our resolve in the face of adversity, with profound consequences for our international reputation.

"The terrorists would be characterised as the winners; we would be the losers."