'Troops down to 2,500' in Basra
Updated on 08 October 2007
British troops in Basra to be cut to 2,500 says Gordon Brown.
The number of British troops in southern Iraq is to be cut to 2,500 by next spring, the Prime Minister announced today, as MPs returned to Westminster after the summer recess.
Mr Brown told a crowded Commons that the number of troops in Iraq would be reduced in stages from 5,500 at the start of last month, to 4,500 and then to 4,000 before coming down to 2,500 from spring next year.
He also announced that an additional 140 Mastiff armoured patrol vehicles were being ordered and the number of free wireless internet terminals for British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan would be doubled.
After a fierce campaign, the Prime Minister disclosed that an assistance package and resettlement would be offered to local Iraqi staff who had worked for UK forces for more than a year.
Tory leader David Cameron swiftly welcomed the draw down of troops but criticised the Prime Minister for making a previous statement on troop numbers in Iraq, rather than to the House of Commons.
