Apology
I was so shocked by this that I omitted to check whether other threads had been started on the same topic. Thank you spekesoftly for your link.
I wonder how serving persons will react. It is such an appalling move that I am afraid it begs the question whether this country is worth fighting for. It seems wicked, vindictive, grossly amoral and unbelievably stupid. Characteristics which I have long felt are possessed by the Blair government. They have now politicised the Civil Service to bend it to their vile ways. It suggests that the government and its ministries despise its soldiers, sailors and Royal Air Force personnel.
It is probably unwise to declare it but I feel that were I still serving that I would resign immediately.