Secrecy Wars

Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been accused of covering up Iraq and Aghanistan casualties figures.

They had promised to post figures on their web site, and are reporting fatalities but say that no figures for combat injuries are currently available.

Senior officers have said that up to 40 soldiers may have been injured in a series of bitter battles with militants in the southern province of Helmand since the arrival in May of the 3,600 strong British task force.

An officer was also reported saying that there was a great deal of "bad feeling" within the military over the treatment of casualties, many of whom believe they have become the forgotten victims of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In keeping with that secrecy British anti-terror cops have taken a swipe at the FBI.

Security services, MI5 and MI6, are understood to be angry that a number of sensitive details surrounding the alleged plane bomber plot were leaked to the media.

FBI sources confirmed to The Observer that the bureau had been ordered to stop briefing at the request of the British authorities. 'The shutters have come down,' a bureau source said. 'We have been told not to discuss the case any more.'

Looks like the next step when the lies stop working, just turn off the information flow. Not that I can see it working, there are just too many disgruntled people involved in both issues to sustain a cone of silence.

Even Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has hinted several of those arrested will not face major charges. So far there has been one further arrest while two have been released without charge. There are also reports that only half of the arrested suspects are expected to be charged.

And pissed off military officers will keep releasing casualty figures, regardless of the coyness of MoD, which makes the ploy pretty pointless.