Mother criticises 'nonsense war'

The mother of two Royal Marine Commandos fighting in Afghanistan has strongly criticised the government for sending troops there.

Marina Feasey, from Plymouth, Devon, said the Taleban could never be beaten and said the military action was "somebody else's war".

She said:"This point should never have come. They serve this country and Queen, not a nonsense war."

Local MP Alison Seabeck, who has visited the region, rejected the claim.

Mrs Feasey whose sons Daniel, 22 and James, 21 are serving on their first tour of Afghanistan with Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade, told BBC News: "My view is that they signed up for Queen and this country, not to fight someone else's war.

She said she and husband Ken supported their boys "in every way we can".

"They are men. They are doing what they want to do and I go along with that. I support them as a mum in every way I can.

"They know my views, but I do not voice them to my boys because they know them already."

"They know why they are doing it and they do love what they are doing"
Alison Seabeck, MP

Plymouth Devonport MP Alison Seabeck, who has recently spent time with members of 3 Commando Brigade in Afghanistan, said: "It is not a nonsense war. It's very much in the interests or country and our Queen.

"Mrs Feasey's reaction is that of any mother, but they (armed forces) know what they are doing and they know why they are doing it and they do love what they are doing."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Our commitment to Afghanistan is first and foremost about Britain's national security interest.

"It would be entirely contrary to the interests of the UK to allow Afghanistan to return to its pre-2001 situation, when Taleban rule provided a safe haven for al Qaeda terrorists to plot against Britain and the West.

"Our engagement in Afghanistan is as much a security priority for the UK today as the two world wars or Cold War were in the last century.

"Put starkly, the choice is between fighting the al Qaeda insurgents in Afghanistan or fighting them on the streets of UK towns. That is why we have 8,000 troops in Afghanistan."

jonathan.morris@bbc.co.uk

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Ministry of Defence
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites