Times Online : MoD denies casualty cover-up

MoD denies casualty cover-up

by David Sanderson | September 22, 2006

AN ARMY major serving in Afghanistan has claimed that the true casualty figures for troops in Helmand province are being covered up.

Major Jon Swift said in a regimental newsletter that soldiers were being patched up and sent back to fight without the injury being recorded, while combat missions were being launched for political rather than military reasons.

The officer, serving with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers attached to 3 Para Battle Group in Afghanistan, made the claims in a newsletter posted on a Ministry of Defence website. The posting had been taken down last night.

He wrote: “The scale of casualties has not been properly reported and shows no sign of reducing. Political and not military imperatives are being followed in the campaign.”

The Ministry of Defence denied Major Swift’s claims, and said that there had been a “glitch” on its website that had resulted in casualty figures not being kept up to date.

Last night the ministry’s website was showing casualty figures from January 1 this year to July 31 only. According to its figures, 37 British military and civilian personnel had been wounded in action. Another 40 had been admitted to medical facilities for non-battle injuries.

A spokesman said: “There’s no cover-up on casualty or fatality figures.” He added that Major Swift, who is still serving in Helmand, had been spoken to by his commanding officer.

The criticism emerged a day after Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, admitted that British troops were operating in conditions that went “beyond the bounds of stamina and endurance”.