08:28

Downing Street has been forced to issue a humiliating apology to General Sir Michael Rose, a former special forces chief, after wrongly including him in a list of former military chiefs who oppose the UK leaving the EU.

A No 10 spokesman said Rose’s name appeared on the list because of a “mistake” in the drafting of the letter, which was handed to the Telegraph for publication in Wednesday’s newspaper.

The letter was purportedly signed by 13 former military chiefs saying Europe faced a series of “grave security challenges” and the UK was in a “stronger” position to deal with them from inside the EU. Signatories included Field Marshal Lord Bramall, Field Marshal Lord Guthrie,Air Chief Marshal Lord Stirrup, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce and General Sir Michael Rose.

But it is understood Downing Street was told by Rose on Wednesday morning that he had not signed the letter, even though he had seen a draft that was circulated to him. A spokesman would not elaborate on how the mistake came about.