This whole argument is getting as silly as the attached highlighted comments.Des Browne has faced questions over claims that a "deal" with an Iraqi militia group prevented British forces taking on insurgents in the city of Basra.
The Defence Secretary angrily denied reports that a secret agreement with the Iranian-backed Mahdi Army meant British troops stood by in March as Iraqi and US forces fought for control of the Iraqi city. US and Iraqi officers were quoted as saying that a "pact" with the militia had kept the British forces out of Operation Charge of the Knights.
We're knights of the Round Table, we dance whene'er we're able. We do routines and chorus scenes with footwork impec-cable, We dine well here in Camelot, we eat ham and jam and Spam a lot. / We're knights of the Round Table, our shows are for-mi-dable. But many times we're given rhymes that are quite un-sing-able, We're opera mad in Camelot, we sing from the diaphragm a lot. / In war we're tough and able, Quite in-de-fa-ti-gable. Between our quests we sequin vests and impersonate Clark Gable / It's a busy life in Camelot
Mr Browne told MPs in April that British tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery all took part in the operation. The MoD added that Tornado warplanes and UK medical evacuation facilities were also used.
Bravely bold Sir Robin rode forth from Camelot. He was not afraid to die, oh brave Sir Robin. He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways, brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin. He was not in the least bit scared to be mashed into a pulp, or to have his eyes gouged out, and his elbows broken. To have his kneecaps split, and his body burned away, and his limbs all hacked and mangled, brave Sir Robin. His head smashed in and heart cut out, and his liver removed, and his bowels unplugged, and his nostrils raped and his bottom burned off and his ...
That's, uh, that's enough music for now, lads... looks like there's dirty work afoot.
The MoD said: "Suggestions that UK forces failed to get involved in the recent operation against militias in Basra are inaccurate. No 'secret deal' or 'accommodation' kept us out of the city."
Defence sources also rejected reports that Mr Browne himself was the only person who could have authorised British forces to enter Basra from their base outside the city.
Liam Fox, the Conservative defence spokesman, has written to Mr Browne asking for urgent clarification of the events around the offensive. He said: "It would be outrageous if the Government made a deal with an lranian supported militia which prevented British Forces from carrying out their responsibifities to the lraqi people. lt would be equally unacceptable if we were unwilling to risk British casualties for purely political purposes."
Brave Sir Robin ran away...
*No!*
bravely ran away away...
*I didn't!*
When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled.
*I never did!*
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about, and valiantly, he chickened out.
*Oh, you liars!*
Bravely taking to his feet, he beat a very brave retreat. A brave retreat by brave Sir Robin.
Privately, British commanders admitted that they had been "caught on the hop" by the Iraqi-led operation into Basra last time which given them 48 hours in which to react. But they insisted that from the outset British artillery pounded insurgent positions and Tornado fighters were used in a close air support role to provide back-up for Iraqi forces.
British helicopters were also used to ferry Iraqi wounded and supplies were ferried into the city. An armoured cordon of Challenger 2 tanks and Warrior armoured vehicle also covered key entry points into Basra.
"The reason we didn't want to put British troops on the ground was because we had to have an Iraqi face on the operation," a military source said. "If British troops had been deployed into Basra it would not have worked and we would not have the stability in the city that we see now because this had to be an Iraqi led operation."
American soldiers appeared first on the ground in Basra because their mentors were already "embedded" with the Iraqi 1st Division when it deployed to the city as a quick reaction force, UK sources said.
In response to Dr Fox's letter Mr Browne, said the suggestion that British forces did not enter Basra because of an acommodation with insurgents was "simply not true". He said: "Our forces were not prevented from going into Basra by any deal of any sort. I have the greatest confidence in the judgement of British military commanders and I would never seek to constrain their ability to make decisions out in theatre - indeed it is a shame that Liam Fox should seek to question those decisions through the media without making any attempt to establish the true facts. I will respond in full to his letter making all of this clear."
I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.