The chief of the defence staff, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, yesterday stepped into the row over the performance of Brigadier Lane, leader of the Royal Marines in Afghanistan.

He said that while Lane was being moved to another post, the switch had been announced before his deployment to Afghanistan.

Sir Michael also said that there had been no reason for the defence secretary to know about the change.

Geoff Hoon had been unaware of the move at the weekend when he gave Lane his full support.

Downing Street also stepped into the row, saying Lane's departure was "a routine decision taken for good reasons".