Army stance under study

An inquiry may be held into claims that the Army mounted a political campaign to increase its share of defence funding, Defence Minister Mark Burton hinted yesterday.

Asked in Parliament if he would hold an inquiry, the minister said: "I am concerned about the inappropriate use of information and position in all the services. To that end ... I will be making announcements shortly."

He said people in the armed forces who had expressed views on the claims would "soon have an opportunity to make their views known and to have them properly evaluated".

Last month, Opposition leader Jenny Shipley released documents which she said showed senior Army officers began a campaign four years ago to get a bigger share of defence funding.

Yesterday, National's defence spokesman and former Defence Minister, Max Bradford, urged Mr Burton to "come clean with this House, because otherwise it is going to stick to you".

Mr Burton said Mr Bradford should wait for the announcement.

Army chief Major-General Maurice Dodson has said he had never seen the letter before it was released.

- NZPA