King Abdullah of Jordan has been in dispute with his MPs

A senior British officer has been sacked as military adviser to Jordan because he had become “too close” to King Abdullah and had too much political influence.

Brigadier Alex Macintosh has returned to the UK after five years in Amman. The request for his removal came after a dispute between the king and politicians in which he may have become unwittingly involved. Last week the country’s cabinet resigned.

Another British officer has been appointed to replace Brigadier Macintosh.

In the summer it was reported that Jordan’s air force was planning to sell almost 30 ageing aircraft. Its military also began to consider procurement programmes, which were met with wariness by the Ministry of Defence. The proposed kit was seen as without significant benefit for the