WE ARE told that the recent deployment of the Black Watch troops near to Baghdad is for purely military reasons.

This is on the back of the admission, finally, that the war was started on the basis of a lie the non-existent weapons of mass destruction.

By coincidence the deployment was announced just two weeks before the US Presidential election. Bush badly needs a victory with coalition allies on board. Are our troops to be used as pawns in this strategy?

The Black Watch deployment could well be the start of a dangerous escalation of British troop involvement, more British units becoming involved again in US offensive combat. It is time for accountability from the Blair government.

As one of the millions who marched against the war, I urge people to use their voice again in the coming months to support the Coalition Against The War campaign.

We need a regime change here not more body bags.

Andrew Kay, Lancaster.