A HAMPSHIRE MP has backed plans by the defence secretary to keep the army's current "be the best" slogan and crest logo.

Chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, Julian Lewis, told the Mail on Sunday that being the best was "nothing to be ashamed of".

Mr Lewis, the MP for New Forest East said: "It is a matter for pride and a very positive message to transmit. Why should we be afraid of excellence when we are constantly saying our Armed Forces are the best in the world?"

Plans to ditch the Army's Be the Best slogan and its crest logo have been halted by defence secretary Gavin Williamson, despise market research carried out by the Ministry of Defence discovered that many find it "dated, elitist and non-inclusive".

The leaked document written by the Army's most senior officer, General Sir Nick Carter - said market research carried out by the MoD showed the slogan "did not resonate with many of our key audiences".

As a result, the Army's executive committee agreed "its use should be phased out as soon as affordably possible", with plans for the "retirement of Be the Best [to] commence immediately".

The research also found the Army's crest - depicting crossed swords, a crown and a lion - to be "non-inclusive" and recommended replacing both with a Union Jack with the word ARMY in bold underneath.

It is not clear when Mr Williamson became aware of the plans, but he has now put them on hold.

The Ministry of Defence said the Army-commissioned rebrand had cost £520,000.