'We must help veterans of forgotten Iraq war'

It comes as charities report a massive drop in donations, leaving them struggling to support veterans suffering physical and emotional trauma.

- Jonathan Walker

THE invasion of Iraq 20 years ago today is in danger of becoming a “forgotten” war, an MP who served in the conflict has warned.

Help for Heroes says its income has halved since 2014, down from £41 million to £18.5 million last year.

Former Army major Dan Jarvis will tomorrow lead a House of Commons debate on Operation Telic, the UK’s contribution to the invasion that began on March 19, 2003.

An initial 46,000 troops were deployed in the US/UK-led bid to overthrow dictator Saddam Hussein for harbouring “weapons of mass destruction”. None were ever found.

Mr Jarvis, 50, says the passage of time and opposition to the invasion means there is a danger of their service going unrecognised.