Afghanistan claims 186th soldier

Another British soldier has died in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The fatality brings the death toll for the UK forces since the campaign against the Taliban began in 2001 to 186.

The soldier from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers died after an explosion while on foot patrol near Sangin, in Helmand, southern Afghanistan, yesterday morning. His next of kin have been informed.

David Cameron's commitment to funding Britain's armed forces was under question today after Lord Mandelson suggested Labour would not cut the defence budget.

Asked whether a future Labour government would do so to balance the public spending books, the Business Secretary said: "That is not our intention."

His remark appeared to be an attempt to raise questions over the Tories' plans for the military. But they may also raise eyebrows in the Treasury if they are seen as a spending commitment.

Lord Mandelson was recently forced to backtrack by Chancellor Alistair Darling after suggesting there would be no comprehensive spending review before the next general election, expected next May.

Equipment and manpower for Nato's forces in Afghanistan will top the agenda when Gordon Brown holds talks today with the alliance's secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.