Royal Marines to go on EU standby

Britain's Armed Forces have taken yet another step on the slippery slope towards full European military integration.

Yesterday Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth announced that Royal Marine Commandos will be on standby over the first six months of 2010 to form part of a battlegroup ready to be deployed to a conflict zone determined by the EU.

Not only will this put British troops under EU control; it also means that the Commandos on EU standby will not be available to serve with British forces in Afghanistan.

Defence management: Royal Marines on EU stand by