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Gavin Williamson: Britain became 'too timid' after Middle East campaigns

The UK became 'too timid' in responding to international crises following military campaigns in the Middle East, the Defence Secretary has said.

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Mr Williamson

Gavin Williamson says Britain's confidence was 'knocked' by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, as he urged the country to be more bold when it comes to 'properly considered' military intervention.

The South Staffordshire MP was speaking at a Tory Party conference fringe event hosted by Conservative Home and defence contractor Raytheon.

Asked if he was concerned that some allies believed the UK was in retreat from the international arena, Mr Williamson said: "I think our confidence was knocked by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan... actually we became too timid in terms of saying, ‘Do we get involved?’

"Where Britain’s strength has always been as a nation is to have the confidence and the belief to say we’re doing this because it’s the right thing to do, it’s in our national interest to do."

In recent months there has been an increase in the number of British troops based in Afghanistan.

Mr Williamson also cited RAF bombing raids on Syria in April alongside US and French forces, following a chemical attack blamed on President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

He added: “Intervention when it is thought through, when it is properly considered is the right thing to do. And Britain is an important part in making that happen.”

Mr Williamson also rejected criticism of comments he made earlier this year in the wake of the Salisbury Novichok attack on a former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.

The nerve agent assault was blamed on the Kremlin, and the Scarborough-born Defence Secretary said Russia should 'go away and shut up'.

Mr Williamson, who was subsequently subjected to a car crash television interview from Richard Madeley over his comments, told Tory supporters: “One of my either great virtues or great faults is that I am blunt.

“I am afraid I ain't gonna change, that's just what's in the DNA of every Yorkshireman.”