What I don't understand is had we retained the Harrier it would have been at the expense of the Tornado force (I believe it was an either / or decision - reducing the TGRF would not have made the required savings the removal of an entire fleet did). Therefore the Harrier would have been re-deployed in AFG leaving very little capability to deploy on a carrier. Even if it managed to undertake a second deployment to support Libya (for which it was not resourced) then it too would be heading home very soon.
Unlike the TGRF which is maintaining two concurrent operations and, as posted
here, is increasing its numbers in Libya. Whilst still continuing with training back home.
Maybe the decision was not quite so bonkers.
And yes WEBF I am fully aware of the problems associated with regenerating a future capability but we need to win our current conflicts first!