Kemi Badenoch has hit back at suggestions she should apologise for claiming British forces are "just hanging around" in the Middle East.The Conservative leader insisted she was supportive of Britain's armed forces and claimed the Government was using them as a "human shield" for criticism she directed at ministers.

Kemi Badenoch has hit back at suggestions she should apologise for claiming British forces are "just hanging around" in the Middle East.The Conservative leader insisted she was supportive of Britain's armed forces and claimed the Government was using them as a "human shield" for criticism she directed at ministers.