Soldier joins anti-war demonstration
- 00:02:50
- ITN
Soldier joins anti-war demonstration
A serving soldier is among thousands of protesters urging the Government to bring British troops home from Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who is facing a court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan, accused politicians of abusing the trust of the army and serving soldiers. He released a statement before the rally in Hyde Park saying: "It is distressing to disobey orders but when Britain follows America in continuing to wage war against one of the world's poorest countries I feel I have no choice. "Politicians have abused the trust of the army and the soldiers who serve, that's why I am compelled and proud to march with the Stop The War Coalition today." A total of 222 British troops have died since operations began in Afghanistan. Peter Brierley, a 59-year-old from Batley, West Yorkshire, lost his son during the Iraq conflict and attended the demonstration. He recently hit the headlines after refusing to shake hands with the former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr Brierley said British troops needed to be withdrawn from Afghanistan as soon as possible. He explained: "They are not doing any good while they are over there. "They need to leave the country to sort itself out. While the British troops are there they are actually bringing in insurgents who are coming in to fight."
ITN | October 24, 2009
