UK reinforcements for Sierra Leone

British troops aboard HMS Ocean earlier this year

British forces are to be stationed off Sierra Leone once more, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has told MPs.

Speaking in the House of Commons he confirmed that HMS Ocean and HMS Fearless were to be sent to the west African state along with three Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and 42 Royal Marine Commando.

The Royal Navy's Amphibious Ready Group is to be present for a limited period during November, Mr Hoon said.

The move to bolster the embattled government of Sierra Leone comes as Jordanian and Indian troops prepare to pull out of the UN mission currently in the war-torn country.

Mission creep

Responding to the news, Labour MP Gareth Thomas said he hoped "we aren't going to see mission creep and find ourselves in a situation of British forces taking the fight direct to the rebels".

Mr Hoon replied: "I can give you that assurance. The primary purpose of British forces going to Sierra Leone is to train the forces of the government of Sierra Leone."

Detailing the duties of the Amphibious Ready Group, he said: "While in the area the group will be able to practice procedures and conduct a detailed reconnaissance, both of which will significantly reduce the time needed to deploy should the rapid reaction force be needed in future."

Aiding the UN

Explaining the decision to return HMS Ocean to the region Mr Hoon told the Commons that the UK had an agreement with the UN to deploy such a rapid reaction force if it was required.

An early demonstration of the commitment was being made, he said, after the completion of a training exercise in the eastern Mediterranean.

But shadow defence secretary Iain Duncan Smith warned that a "vacuum" was developing in the west African state, "which may well suck us deeper into this".

And the government's policy was also attacked by the Liberal Democrats, who although welcoming the training mission asked the secretary of state to place UK troops in the region under the command of the UN.

The defence secretary also confirmed that there were approximately 400 British troops currently engaged in training missions designed to enable the government of the former British colony to be able to call on effective fighting forces of its own.

The training would continue until April next year said Mr Hoon.