'Thin Red Lines', 2011

Pen and ink with watercolour by Martin Rowson, 2011.

This cartoon was published by 'The Guardian' on 10 October 2011. It satirises the relationship between the then Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox MP, and his friend, Adam Werritty, a defence consultant.

The 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review called for a reduction in the budge of the Ministry of Defence. 7,000 jobs would be lost from the British Army. This cartoon mocks that decision, satirising the impact of losses on the British Army at a time when they were actively engaged in Afghanistan (2001-2014), while also highlighting the questionable relationship between Fox and Werritty that saw Werritty attend defence meetings and go on Fox's international trips - despite having no official advisory role.

The cartoon takes as its inspiration the famous 1881 Robert Gibb painting, 'The Thin Red Line' depicting the 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment at the Battle of Balaklava in 1854.

Liam Fox resigned as Defence Secretary on 14 October 2011 for breaking the ministerial code by letting Adam Werritty attend defence meetings.