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| 5,000 soldiers unfit for frontline duties Data reveals many soldiers and officers cannot carry out combat duties because of physical or mental problemsOne in five members of the British army's infantry is unfit to fight on the front line, Ministry of Defence figures showed today.The data revealed that around 5,000 soldiers and officers cannot take part in combat duties because of physical or mental injury or illness, a lack of fitness or other, non-medical, reasons.The number included troops under the age of 18, pregnant soldiers, those excused from combat duties on compassionate grounds and personnel facing disciplinary action.But the Conservatives, who obtained the figures, said they highlighted government "neglect" of the armed forces.The MoD said some of those classed as not fully deployable could still work on the front line, provided suitable medical support was available in theatre.Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative MP who unearthed the statistics in a parliamentary written answer, told the BBC: "To have 20% of the infantry unfit for the duties they are primarily employed and trained for is quite a staggering figure."This reflects the long-term effect of sustained operations, and it's worth remembering [that] the government may pay for extra ammunition and other costs of operations, but they don't fund the recruitment and training of personnel to replace those who are left unfit for combat."The shadow defence secretary, Liam Fox, said: "The infantry is the tip of the spear of the conventional army."This is the same sad story resulting from a decade of Labour's neglect of our armed forces, and there is no sign of improvement. This situation is not sustainable."An army spokeswoman said all units "deploy at the required strength for the tasks they are asked to fulfil during their operational tour"."The majority of those classed as medically non-deployable are fit enough to work in some capacity and therefore continue to make a contribution to the effectiveness of the armed forces," she added.The MoD is examining whether some servicemen and women injured so seriously that they cannot return to the front line could be discharged from the services on medical grounds.However, officials said they would attempt to place wounded personnel in alternative army roles where possible."The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing excellent care for our injured personnel, and ensuring that individuals get the support that is most suitable for them," the army spokeswoman said."As well as outstanding clinical care, the Ministry Of Defence provides a comprehensive range of welfare support to the injured and, recognising the vital role they play in recovery, their families."The MoD data related to 36 battalions and three guards companies which are primarily for public and ceremonial duties but can also be used to boost the numbers of other guards battalions.The figures included personnel filling all roles within each battalion, as well infantrymen.• A bomb disposal expert became the second British serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan this year when he died in an explosion in the Musa Qala area, of northern Helmand province yesterday.MilitaryAfghanistanLiam FoxConservativesMatthew Weaverguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
More talks on NI justice quandary Sinn Fein and the DUP are to hold further talks over the devolution of policing and justice, Gerry Adams says. news.bbc.co.uk |
Man who attacked burglars freed Munir Hussain's 30-month sentence for assaulting intruder who held family at knife-point is replaced with suspended sentenceA millionaire businessman jailed for attacking an intruder who kidnapped his family and held them at knife-point was freed by the court of appeal today.Munir Hussain left the prison in Oxfordshire just after 4pm. A short time later he arrived at his father Zamin Ali's house just a few doors away from his own home. "First of all, thank you all the media for supporting us while we've been away," he said."That support has been very comforting." Asking for privacy, he added: "I'm very happy, but obviously my brother is still there." Hussain's brother, Qadeer Hussain, added: "He is going to spend some time with his father because they have got a lot to talk about."Most of the family seem to have gathered here. We are just going to spend time with each other and have a meal. His wife Shaheen is a lot more comfortable now."Hussain, 53, had discovered three masked men in his house when he returned with his family from prayers at their local mosque. The burglars forced them into the house, tied them up and threatened to kill them before Hussain managed to escape and alert his brother, Tokeer Hussain.The pair returned to the house in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and chased and caught one of the gang, Walid Salem, a criminal with more than 50 previous convictions. The court heard Salem was then subjected to a "dreadful, violent attack" during which he was hit so hard with a cricket bat that it broke into three pieces, leaving him with brain damage.Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, and two other judges, said the case was one of "true exceptionality" and overturned Hussain's 30-month jail sentence, replacing it with 12 months' imprisonment suspended for two years, with a supervision requirement for two years. Tokeer, 35, had his 39-month jail term reduced to two years.Hussain's son Awais, 23, who had been tied up and threatened by the gang during the attack in September 2008, welcomed the verdict but said his family had been "deeply traumatised" by the ordeal."It was a terrifying experience and it is hard really to get over what happened – none of my family will get over it. It is difficult to describe the impact it has had on us to people who have not been through it … They said they were going to kill us. As far as we knew they were going to kill us immediately. We relive what happened to us every day."Judge said the "call for mercy" during the appeal hearing had been intense and said the court had concluded that it "must be answered"."We have come to the conclusion that we have ample justification for ordering that it [Hussain's sentence] should be suspended."He said Hussain had been "desperate" with worry about his family when they were faced with armed, masked burglars, fearing that his wife and daughter would be raped and they would all be killed."The plain, simple reality is that Munir Hussain was acting under the continuing influence of extreme provocation," said Judge. "Involvement in this serious violence can only be understood as a response to the dreadful and terrifying ordeal and the emotional anguish which he had undergone."The court heard the brothers were peaceful family men at the heart of the local community and said Hussain had acted "totally out of character, in hot blood … and without detached reasoning"."It is rare to see men of the quality of the two appellants in court for offences of serious violence," he said.The court heard that, shortly before sentencing, Hussain received a letter from the police indicating that he and his family might still be at risk."Unsurprisingly, Munir Hussain is troubled about the short- and long-term safety of his family. He is still enduring the baleful consequences of the events of that night and they will be with him for some time yet. He was indeed the victim of a very serious offence."However, the court heard that the case "had nothing to do with the right of the householder to defend themselves or their families or their homes"."The burglary was over and the burglars had gone, no one was in any further danger from them," said Judge."This is not, and should not be seen as, a case about the level of violence which a householder may lawfully and justifiably use on a burglar."It is also clear that the violence to which Salem was subjected was not designed to ensure that he was detained and somehow kept pending the arrival of the police to be handed to them. So far as both these appellants was concerned the purpose of their violence was revenge – to teach at least one of the burglars a lesson … such violence is not lawful and no one at the trial suggested that it was."Judge said a sentence of two years was in itself "merciful", but added there was "ample justification" for ordering that it be suspended.Reducing Tokeer's sentence, but not suspending it, he said: "He himself was not the victim of any crime. He will not have to live with the consequences of the crime."CrimeMatthew Taylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Most MSPs oppose end-of-life bill A BBC Scotland survey suggests most MSPs oppose plans to give terminally ill people the right to die at a time they choose. news.bbc.co.uk |
Iraq deaths 'difficult' - Browne Ex-defence secretary Des Browne tells the Iraq inquiry of the personal strain he felt when British personnel were killed. news.bbc.co.uk |