Christians Under Attack

Suspicions that Brits were fighting for the Taliban were raised earlier this year after that RAF experts overheard secret transmissions spoken in broad Midlands and Yorkshire accents.

Now Brigadier Ed Butler has also said militant Islamic groups in Helmand Province are suspected of assisting terrorist plots in the UK.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Brig Butler, who led British troops in Helmand Province for six months, said: "There are British passport holders who live in the UK who are being found in places like Kandahar.

"There is a link between Kandahar and urban conurbations in the UK. This is something the military understands, but the British public does not."

Widely regarded as one of the best British officers of his generation, Brig Butler announced his decision to retire from the Army earlier this year.

Despite claims his premature retirement was in protest at the Government's under-funding of the Armed Forces, Brig Butler insisted his decision to step down was prompted by the desire to spend more time with his family.

He is currently Commander of Joint Force Operations based at Northwood, near London, and will formally leave the Army next year.

British troops have been warned they may be serving in the desert plains and mountain passes of Afghanistan for years to come because of the resurgent Taliban.

After passing the grim milestone of 100 military deaths in the country since 2001, politicians and commanders alike agree that there can be no early exit for UK forces from this foreign entanglement.

The British ambassador Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles even suggested last year that a British presence may be needed in the country for another 30 years - although he hastily clarified his remarks to make clear that he was not necessarily talking about a full-scale military force.

POSTED BY / http://news.sky.com