Editing Shell Crisis of 1915 (section)

== ''Daily Mail'' attacks Kitchener ==
Whilst Asquith was still forming his new government, a sensational version of the press criticism was printed in the popular ''Daily Mail'' on 21 May, blaming Kitchener, under the headline "The Shells Scandal: Lord Kitchener's Tragic Blunder". Lloyd George had to warn Northcliffe that the campaign was counterproductive and creating sympathy for Kitchener.{{sfn|Holmes|2004|pp=288–289}} Kitchener wanted to let the Shells Scandal drop. [[Stanley von Donop]], Master-General of the Ordnance, demanded an Inquiry to clear his name but Kitchener persuaded him to withdraw the request as it would have led to French's dismissal.{{sfn|Holmes|2004|p=291}}

Kitchener, popular with the public, remained in office as Secretary of State for War, responsible for training and equipping the volunteer [[Kitchener's Army|New Armies]], but lost control over munitions production and was increasingly sidelined from control of military strategy. French was also tarnished by his blatant meddling in politics, a factor which contributed to his enforced resignation in December 1915.