[DaveW]

Sorry but as an anti Iraq war type I burst out laughing when I read this in the paper today at work......With friends like these!

Secret deal kept UK troops out of Basra

A newspaper said British soldiers in Iraq had been prevented from coming to the aid of American and Iraqi allies during battles in Basra because of a deal with the Mehdi Army militia.

Unfortunately the online version is (Very) cut down from what was in the paper today...... Wondering the editing reasons as space is not a consideration in online stories?