British opposition demands answers from defence chief

British Defense Minister Liam Fox,  October 5, 2011

From Adrian Croft,  Reuters:  Britain’s opposition demanded a fuller explanation from Defence Secretary Liam Fox on Monday over his contacts with a close friend in the defence business that could cost him his job.

Fox’s future hangs in the balance as the initial findings of an inquiry into whether national security had been breached is due to land on the desk of Prime Minister David Cameron later on Monday.

Fox, one of the most senior members of Cameron’s government, apologised on Sunday for giving "the impression of wrongdoing" by his frequent private meetings with businessman Adam Werritty but said he would not quit. . . .
 
Labour’s defence spokesman Jim Murphy said Fox must give a full account of his relationship with Werritty — who is reported to have passed himself off as an adviser to the defence secretary despite holding no official post — when he answers questions on defence in parliament later on Monday. . . .
 
"If he doesn’t volunteer to stand here (in parliament) and make a full, detailed statement, I will use parliamentary procedures to summon him to force him to give that statement," he said. . . .
 
Fox has denied helping Werritty’s commercial work, giving him access to classified information or personally profiting from the relationship, but said he accepted that he had mishandled his dealings with his former flat-mate and best man at his wedding.  (photo: Getty

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