'CLOWN' VANCE'S SLUR ON 636 WAR HEROES

Blundering US vice president says Britain has 'not fought a war in 40 years'

- By Martyn Brown, Michael Knowles and Christian Calgie

VETERANS branded US vice president JD Vance a "clown" after he suggested the UK had not fought a war "in 30 or 40 years".

They blasted Donald Trump's sidekick for dishonouring the 636 British heroes who lost their lives fighting alongside the US in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Former Army chief Lord Dannatt said: "What planet is this guy on? Has he forgotten we deployed a division in both Gulf Wars and fought alongside US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He seems to have gone power crazy."

While former Tory veterans minister Johnny Mercer, who served three tours in Afghanistan as an officer, said: "Vance needs to wind his neck in. Show a bit of respect and stop making yourself look so unpleasant", adding: "This clown needs to check his privilege."

Ben McBean, who lost his left arm and right leg after stepping on a Taliban mine in 2008 while in the Royal Marines, said: "I think it was out of order. It's really disrespectful.

"Over 600 people died...then you have just got someone dismissing it."