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Tories Failing UK Counterterror Recruitment Drive - Labour Deputy Watson

© AP Photo / Sony Pictures, Susie Allnutt, FILEDaniel Craig stars as James Bond 007 in pursuit of an Mi6 traitor in a scene from "Quantum of Solace"
Daniel Craig stars as James Bond 007 in pursuit of an Mi6 traitor in a scene from Quantum of Solace - Sputnik International
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The lack of spies in the UK will give terrorists open reign to kill, according to a Labour MP who has slammed the UK government in regards to its counterterrorism efforts.

The pledge to deliver 1,900 spies for the UK to be able to protect itself against terrorism has come under severe criticism from opposition figure and Deputy Leader of the Labour party, Tom Watson, who has highlighted the failure of the British Government to deliver.

The government, according to Mr. Watson, has failed to bolster Britain's security following a string of terror attacks across Europe.

"In the wake of the Paris attacks, the government was very clear about the need to hire an extra 1,900 security and intelligence staff to deal with increasing terrorist threats," Mr. Watson said.

​"So, it is disappointing to learn that they will only recruit an additional 1,500 by the end of this Parliament. The public will want assurances that the security services are adequately resourced to cope with a growing number of terrorist, cyber and other threats," he added.

However Mr. Watson's view was rejected by a government spokesperson who said that it was completely wrong to suggest there had been serious delays.

"It is absolutely wrong to suggest we are dragging our feet on recruiting new personnel into the security services. We are right on track to meet our targets. Britain's security services are the finest in the world and work tirelessly to protect us," the spokesman said.

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The government has also pledged US$3 million into the security forces. However, whether that will happen remains to be seen.

Only recently, did Sir Mark Lyall Grant, a top adviser to the Prime Minister, said that staffing was a key area of risk at a time of increased threat.

The current threat level for international terrorism in the UK is severe.

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