Soldier to deliver Afghanistan protest letter
Updated on 30 July 2009
A serving British soldier who is refusing to return to Afghanistan will deliver a letter to the prime minister protesting against the conflict.
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton of the Royal Logistics Corps is facing a preliminary court martial after saying he would not return to Afghanistan.
He is believed to be the first serving soldier to speak out against the government's policy and will say in his letter that the commitment and dedication of British troops is being "misused".
Lance Corporal Glenton, a married man from Yorkshire, will deliver his letter to 10 Downing Street and claim the war in Afghanistan is being fought in the interests of the United States' foreign policy.
He has already served in Afghanistan and was due to return but refused and is currently on leave.
He is facing a preliminary court martial hearing in Oxfordshire next week.
Chris Nineham of the Stop The War Coalition said it was a "very significant moment" in the campaign against the Afghanistan conflict.
"There is no question there is a lot of dissatisfaction and discontent among the armed forces about Britain's involvement in Afghanistan and Lance Corporal Glenton is the first serving soldier to express these views."
