MPs investigating equipment shortages in the Iraq war have accused the top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence of arrogance and complacency.Sir Kevin Tebbit, the permanent secretary at the MoD, and two senior military commanders were being questioned by the public accounts committee.

One MP said: "If I was a soldier and being led by some of the hierarchy around this table, I'd be bloody worried."

The MoD has since signalled that it is preparing to issue enhanced body armour to all troops.