Brave effort.

CRITICISM of the operation to rescue hostages in Afghanistan is unfair.

The Government is damned because it did and would have been damned if it hadn't.

Imagine the outcry from the same hindsight brigade had the Taliban paraded then murdered the captives in a few weeks.

The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary were right to give the green light after considering military advice.

We mourn the dead paratrooper and Afghanis but armchair critics of what was a difficult decision - and even more difficult operation - should think twice before sniping.