NEWS: UK Defence Secretary on the ropes.

Geoff Hoon,the UK's Defence Secretary, is coming under increasing pressue to resign today after a unique tape recorded by a British soldier before he died detailing the equipment shortages that would directly lead to his death were released by his widow yesterday.

Geoff Hoon was already coming under pressure for his role in leaking the name of the WMD scientist Dr David Kelly to the press.Dr Kelly later committed suicide.

Mr Hoon was expected to stay in his position until the Hutton Inquiry report was published on the 28th of January but was widely tipped to be the government's scapegoat.Now doubts are raised as to whether he will last until then.

Excerpts of the transcript of the tape can be found at the link below.

�Hello buddy. It's me. If you're listening to this tape and have read this letter, then I'm not there anymore and we need to talk about how you're going to embark on your next phase of life and the journey you must take.�

www.channel4.com

[Edited on 16-1-2004 by SkepticOverlord]