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Sentamu attacks forces' treatment | Sentamu attacks forces' treatment |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has issued a stern challenge to the government over its treatment of soldiers serving in Afghanistan. | The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has issued a stern challenge to the government over its treatment of soldiers serving in Afghanistan. |
In a sermon to mark Yorkshire Day, Dr Sentamu questioned whether troops were being treated in a way commensurate with the risks they took. | In a sermon to mark Yorkshire Day, Dr Sentamu questioned whether troops were being treated in a way commensurate with the risks they took. |
It follows controversy over payments to seriously injured troops. | It follows controversy over payments to seriously injured troops. |
July 2009 saw 22 UK deaths in Afghanistan - the highest monthly tally since the conflict began. | July 2009 saw 22 UK deaths in Afghanistan - the highest monthly tally since the conflict began. |
'Strict operation' | 'Strict operation' |
In his sermon, Dr Sentamu warned that the military covenant - the understanding that society owes troops a special obligation - had come under increasing strain in recent months. | In his sermon, Dr Sentamu warned that the military covenant - the understanding that society owes troops a special obligation - had come under increasing strain in recent months. |
He added that it was the government's duty to make sure that it was "honoured not only in its strict operation but also in its spirit". | He added that it was the government's duty to make sure that it was "honoured not only in its strict operation but also in its spirit". |
He made it clear that he doubted that troops serving in Afghanistan were getting the treatment they deserved from the government. | He made it clear that he doubted that troops serving in Afghanistan were getting the treatment they deserved from the government. |
The Archbishop - who last year raised more than £100,000 in a parachute jump for the families of troops serving in Afghanistan - said that in return for being ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, soldiers should expect just treatment and respect from the government. | The Archbishop - who last year raised more than £100,000 in a parachute jump for the families of troops serving in Afghanistan - said that in return for being ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, soldiers should expect just treatment and respect from the government. |
'Shockingly high' | 'Shockingly high' |
His intervention came as the Ministry of Defence revealed that 51 members of the UK armed forces had had limbs amputated after being wounded in Afghanistan. | His intervention came as the Ministry of Defence revealed that 51 members of the UK armed forces had had limbs amputated after being wounded in Afghanistan. |
But that tally is only up to March this year so does not include recent months, which have seen heavy casualties among UK service personnel. | But that tally is only up to March this year so does not include recent months, which have seen heavy casualties among UK service personnel. |
Col Richard Kemp, ex-commander of UK troops in Afghanistan, told the Sunday Mirror, which had requested the information, that the toll was "shockingly high". | Col Richard Kemp, ex-commander of UK troops in Afghanistan, told the Sunday Mirror, which had requested the information, that the toll was "shockingly high". |
A total of 57 service personnel were wounded in the first two weeks of July, compared with 46 in all of June and 24 in May. | |
The Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "As of 31 March 2009, a total of 51 UK service personnel have suffered amputations due to injuries sustained while on operational deployment on Operation Herrick." | The Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "As of 31 March 2009, a total of 51 UK service personnel have suffered amputations due to injuries sustained while on operational deployment on Operation Herrick." |
Col Kemp told the Sunday Mirror: "This is a shockingly high ratio of the number of British troops deployed at any one time in Afghanistan." | Col Kemp told the Sunday Mirror: "This is a shockingly high ratio of the number of British troops deployed at any one time in Afghanistan." |
Of the injuries in the first 15 days of July, 16 service personnel were seriously or very seriously wounded. | Of the injuries in the first 15 days of July, 16 service personnel were seriously or very seriously wounded. |
In total, the number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 191. | In total, the number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 191. |
The rise in injuries and deaths came as coalition forces completed the first phase of their heaviest offensive yet - Operation Panther's Claw - against the Taliban ahead of elections on 20 August. | The rise in injuries and deaths came as coalition forces completed the first phase of their heaviest offensive yet - Operation Panther's Claw - against the Taliban ahead of elections on 20 August. |
Against this backdrop, a legal bid by the Ministry of Defence to try to cut the compensation awarded to two injured servicemen has attracted widespread criticism. | Against this backdrop, a legal bid by the Ministry of Defence to try to cut the compensation awarded to two injured servicemen has attracted widespread criticism. |
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