AMAZEMENT has been expressed by a Conservative that the Lib-Dem defence spokesman told a county conference he would consider making cuts to the Army.

But the MP under fire, Paul Keetch, has accused Virginia Taylor of 'playground politics' in misinterpreting his comments.

Mrs Taylor's reaction follows a conference held by Age Concern at the city's Left Bank where she, Mr Keetch and two other prospective parliamentary candidates, David Hallam and David Gillett answered questions from the over 55s.

Recession

The question that sparked the controversy asked which public service they would cut first in a recession.

Mrs Taylor said Mr Keetch was irresponsible to call for cuts in the defence budget, while forces were already stretched to the limit.

"I was amazed to hear him say this on a public platform," she said. "Mr Keetch is the defence spokesman for the Liberal Democrats. That he can even think of making such a statement is inconceivable in the present climate. Our army, navy and airforce are already stretched to the limit.

"But as so often, the Liberal Democrats say one thing to one audience and something different to another. As recently as February 2000, Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman, said 'before there is any tax cut this year or in the run up to the election, the Government must ensure that defence is properly funded'. So what is their policy? Cuts or more spending?

"Our forces everywhere are already pared to the bone. To call for further cuts is irresponsible - particularly in Herefordshire, home to the SAS and where the TA have suffered such large cutbacks."

Kneejerk

But Mr Keetch said he had not advocated army cuts, but would look at the budget if there were a downturn.

Mr Keetch said: "Mrs Taylor needs to listen and not make pathetic knee jerk reactions.

"Unlike Mrs Taylor and the other candidates who waffled, I was prepared to answer the question. As a defence spokesman I said my knowledge in that area allowed me to judge the economics of it before making cuts to health and education.

"I did not call for cuts, I merely attempted to answer the question by saying defence was an area that I would be well placed to look at.

"If all Mrs Taylor can think to attack me on is misinterpreting anything I have said, then I would say that goes a long way to supporting my record as an MP in Hereford and shows I am beyond attack."

l Mr Keetch has persuaded the army to help landscape a field behind Upton Bishop Millennium village hall. The move, agreed by the Government, will save the village thousands of pounds.The army will go in after the foot and mouth crisis is over.