Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, a former head of the British army and chief of the defence staff who advised Tony Blair on military interventions, has died aged 86. Known for his blunt manner and close relationship with the prime minister, Guthrie played a key role in shaping UK defence policy during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Guthrie served as chief of the general staff from 1994 to 1997 and then as chief of the defence staff from 1997 to 2001, overseeing British involvement in Kosovo and Sierra Leone. He was a strong advocate for maintaining defence spending, often clashing with Chancellor Gordon Brown over budget cuts. At one meeting, he famously told Brown: 'Chancellor, you know fuck all.'
Born in London and educated at Harrow, Guthrie joined the Welsh Guards after Sandhurst. He served in Aden, with the SAS, and in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Later, he commanded the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in Berlin and led troops in south Armagh, earning an OBE for his leadership.
After retiring, Guthrie criticised the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan as 'cuckoo' and described the planned aircraft carriers as vulnerable 'behemoths'. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, and their children.
