Full statement: Liam Fox on military covenant law

Defence Secretary Liam Fox has outlined the government's plans to enshrine the military covenant in law for the first time.

Campaigners have long been calling for the nation's duty of care to personnel to be translated into firm pledges. But Dr Fox warned specific rights could not be set down in law for fear of the armed forces becoming "permanently involved in human rights cases in the European Courts".

His statement followed an announcement by the Ministry of Defence that it is seeking to find more savings from the armed forces in the next financial year.