Armed Forces Bill

Ben Griffin also told The Sunday Telegraph that he had witnessed dozens of illegal acts by US fighters who viewed Iraqis as ““sub-human””. He said:"““I saw a lot of things in Baghdad that were illegal or just wrong.””" The hon. Gentleman places great emphasis on desertion while on active service, and saying that that warrants the highest sentence is almost like an ultimatum. Ben Griffin talked about the Americans, but if someone witnesses in their troop such illegal acts and civilians being killed—not enemies, but what we call collateral damage—what is the remedy, if they are not to take part in such acts, other than to desert? Surely the hon. Gentleman’s distinction is a false one.