Britain's casualties of Iraq war total 6,700, MoD says
Almost 6,700 Britons have needed hospital treatment in Iraq since the invasion three years ago - almost as many as the total number of British troops still stationed there. About 4,000 were sufficiently injured or ill to be sent home to Britain.
The figures include soldiers and civilians injured in accidents or taken ill, or who have suffered psychological problems, as well as those injured in fighting. They were posted on the Ministry of Defence website yesterday, on the day that MPs dispersed for their Easter break, after months of criticism directed at the Government for refusing to give details about the "forgotten" British casualties.
Even now the MoD admits that some British casualties may have been overlooked, particularly during the invasion itself, "when the tempo of operations meant that some minor injuries may not have been reported in the heat of the action". They also said that they cannot keep a central record of all casualties because it might breach "patient confidentiality".
This defies belief. The premise that the government cannot keep a central record because of "patient confidentiality" treats us with contempt. It implies that we are stupid enough to accept such garbage.
The notion that the people who want to introduce identification cards, which will track our every movement, are suddenly now concerned about "our confidentiality" is risible.
And, having finally agreed to publish the figures, the House disbands for Easter; making any questioning of their actions impossible.
Democracy in action. No wonder we are keen to export it all over the Middle East.
How could any people be expected to live without this level of accountability?
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