Indefensible?

Jun 25 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ANY mum would worry if her son were serving in Iraq or in any other war zone around the world.

But that natural concern has been worsened for Aletia Pedelty, of Meltham and her husband Kevin by the situation that their 22 year old son Jason currently finds himself in.

Jason is on a five month posting in Iraq but weeks after his arrival in the conflict zone, he was told to hand over his gun and ammunition and to take off his uniform. An administrative blunder left Army bosses thinking that Jason was no longer a member of the Yorkshire Regiment and that he was in effect a civilian. He was sent back to his camp in Iraq and is still waiting to find out if he can resume his duties.

It is an astonishing situation which raises some basic questions. Security for example.

Yes Jason had considered leaving the Yorkshire Regiment after fours years in the Army and had signed back in. But how could he possibly have been put on a flight to Iraq if there was any doubt about his standing with the regiment?

Families have enough to worry about when troops are sent overseas. Surely their security within their own regiment is paramount?