SIR Peter Harding, Chief of the Defence Staff, resigned last night
after allegations of an affair with the young Spanish former wife of a
former Defence Minister.
Britain's senior military officer quit after the publication of
intimate details of his relationship with Lady Bienvenida Buck appeared
in the News of the World.
The Ministry of Defence said: ''Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir
Peter Harding, Chief of the Defence Staff, has tendered his resignation
with immediate effect.
''This has been accepted by Malcolm Rifkind, Secretary of State for
Defence.''
News of the affair between Sir Peter, 60, who is married, and the
former wife of Sir Antony Buck rocked the Ministry where the military
chief was seen as a single-minded career officer.
Tall, debonair, and articulate, he had worked his way studiously to
the top, taking a number of key appointments, including one at Nato's
Shape military headquarters.
Mr Rifkind had defended Sir Peter, saying he had ''total confidence in
the professional abilities of his Chief of the Defence Staff''.
However, once it was known that the News of the World had videos, tape
recordings, and letters relating to the affair, the full impact was felt
and Ministry officials said Sir Peter had no option but to quit.
Adultery is viewed as a serious transgression of traditional values
within the Services, where marriage and family life are revered. The
military has recently launched its own back-to-basics code of conduct
for officers and men.
One official said: ''How could he continue when on the one hand he was
calling for better standards of personal behaviour while on the other he
was having this affair?''
When the news of Sir Peter's resignation was broken to Sir Antony he
gasped and said: ''I am sad about the fact that he has resigned and in
all the circumstances it is understandable, but regrettable.
''I think it is absolutely tragic because he is a brilliant officer.
It is a great shame that what has happened about this matter has caused
this to happen.
''I am, naturally, sad about it, but given the background you cannot
expect me to be overwhelmed with grief. I am sad and for Sheila, his
wife. It is a miserable time for us all.''
Former Navy Minister Sir Antony, 65, retired from the House of Commons
at the last General Election. He married Bienvenida Perez-Blanco, some
30 years his junior, in 1990. The marriage broke up last September.
The Liberal Democrats' defence spokesman, Mr Menzies Campbell, said:
''To become Chief of Defence Staff, a man needs outstanding abilities.
''Sir Peter Harding had those in full measure, and so long as his
ability to do his job was unaffected, I can see no reason why he should
have resigned.''
Labour pressed ahead with its demand for an inquiry to ensure that Sir
Peter's affair did not give rise to any security lapses.
The Shadow Defence Secretary, Mr David Clark, said: ''He has done the
right thing. But I am still writing to Malcolm Rifkind to demand an
inquiry to establish that there has been no security lapse.
''This man knew all our military secrets and one must be absolutely
certain that there have been no lapses in our security.''
Copies of Sir Peter's letter of resignation to Mr Rifkind, and the
Defence Secretary's reply, were issued last night by the Ministry.
Sir Peter wrote:
''You will have seen the
news reports concerning me and Lady Buck. The content of these reports
is not entirely right and there are some errors in them, but it is
counterproductive to relate them in detail. The point is that I have not
acted in a manner that befits the holder of the post of Chief of the
Defence Staff.
''I therefore believe that the only honourable thing for me to do is
to resign my post with immediate effect, and I ask you to accept this.
''I deeply regret the embarrassment that this has caused for you, the
Government, my colleagues, and the Services; and I am grateful for your
support over the last 15 months, which has been considerable.''
In reply, Mr Rifkind said:
''I am very saddened that recent circumstances have led you to reach
this decision; but I understand and respect your wishes.
''May I pay tribute to the many years of dedicated service that you
have given to the Royal Air Force and the Armed Forces. In your earlier
career, as Chief of the Air Staff, and again as Chief of the Defence
Staff, you have exhibited professionalism, energy and skill of a very
high order.
''I very much regret that we will no longer have the benefit of your
advice and judgment. I know that you feel that your resignation is in
the best interests of the Royal Air Force and the Armed Forces and that
is, if I may say so, characteristic of the loyalty and commitment you
have always given to your colleagues.
''May I offer you and Sheila my very best wishes for the future.''
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