Seven out of 10 Brits want their army out of Afghanistan

Seven out of 10 British want the UK forces out of Afghanistan within a year, a new poll has found.

According to a poll conducted by ComRes for the Independent, 71% of respondents said they would support a phased withdrawal of troops leading to an end of combat operations within 12 months, while 22% disagreed.

The poll also found that 47% believed that the continued deployment of the 9,000-strong British troops in the war-torn country made terrorism at home more likely, while 44% said it does not.

The findings came as the British deputy commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker, spoke about his son's horrific injuries after falling victim to a Taliban roadside bomb.

General Parker didn’t blame the shortages of equipment for his 26-year-old son Harry, a captain in 4 Rifles, losing both legs in July.

"Rather than asking for more helicopters — which may be a requirement — what we've got to do is develop tactics that get you out and amongst the people and re-establish ourselves as a force for good in the community. I genuinely believe there is no need to buy extra kit,” The Guardian quoted General Parker, as saying.

"I'm absolutely convinced that what Harry was given was right for what he was doing. However, nothing was ever going to stop his leg getting blown off," he added.

The poll also found that 60% of voters believed that British prime minister Gordon Brown had been treated unfairly in publicity over his letter of condolence to Jacqui Janes, whose son Jamie died in Afghanistan.