'1 000 Brits quitted Iraq war'

2006-05-28 13:00

London - More than 1 000 members of the British armed forces have deserted since the start of the war in Iraq three years ago, the BBC reported on Sunday.

The BBC did not say how it arrived at the figure. Earlier this week, Labour Party lawmaker John McDonnell told the House of Commons that the level of desertion had tripled since 2003.

However, the Ministry of Defence said the army knew of only "a handful" of deserters since 1989, and said there had been no significant increase in the number of soldiers going absent without leave.

"There is no evidence to suggest that operational commitments or any other factor significantly contributes to the figures," said a ministry spokeswoman, who like other civil servants in Britain is not allowed to give her name.

Last month an air force doctor, Flight Lt. Malcolm Kendall-Smith, was jailed for eight months for refusing a third tour of duty in Iraq.

Lawmakers are currently debating a new Armed Forces bill that would make refusal to participate in the occupation of a foreign country punishable by a sentence of up to life in jail.

McDonnell told legislators there had been "an increase in the number of soldiers questioning government policy about that invasion, an increase in the number of soldiers questioning the morality and legality of the occupation and an increase in the number of serving personnel speaking out."

Britain joined the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, a decision that remains unpopular with many in the country.

There are about 8 000 British troops in Iraq, based around the southern city of Basra. A total of 111 British personnel have died in Iraq since the 2003 invasion.

- AP