MoD has lost track of veterans on recall list, says defence adviser

The UK's Ministry of Defence has lost track of military veterans in its 95,000-strong strategic reserve who could be recalled during national emergencies, according to George Robertson, a former defence secretary and NATO head who co-authored last year's strategic defence review. Robertson claims officials have failed to maintain current contact details for most of these former soldiers and officers, despite their continuing legal obligation for recall. While the MoD maintains contact with veterans for six years after they leave service through annual reporting letters, records have not been similarly maintained for the larger cohort in the strategic reserve.