Fury as Hoon sends more Scots to Iraq

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FURY AS HOON SENDS MORE SCOTS TO IRAQ Jan 11 2005
400 set for warzone election
By Pippa Crerar

HUNDREDS more Scottish troops were sent to Iraq last night after fears of a bloody increase in violence before the country's elections.

Around 400 soldiers from the 1st battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers will be in Basra within days. It is just six months since their last deployment in Iraq.

The announcement, by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, sparked a furious reaction.

It came just weeks after he confirmed the six Scottish infantry units would be scrapped.

The SNP's Pete Wishart accused the Government of betraying the soldiers.

The North Tayside MP said: 'It is a disgrace that as the Highland Fusiliers will be heading off to do a difficult task in Iraq, the Government are planning to amalgamate their regiment out of existence.

'They deserve so much more from a Government that is preparing to send them into harm's way.'

(more)

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