It makes sense to keep them out - does Britain really want people who supported an invading army participating in an illegal war? Does anybody? The name of a certain historical scandinavian figure springs to mind.

Joe, brussels, belgium

Two points:
One, how, in a war zone, do you prove "absence from work because of intimidation”?
Two, what signal has this sent to parts of the world where British forces may have to serve in the future? Who would want to put their lives at risk for the British now?

Ray, London, England

How can they turn down these people who helped our troops while opening the floodgates to thousands of illegal immigrants, housing them, giving them benefits & legal aid to fight the government?

George, Glasgow, UK

Words fail me. How can this country and this government command anymore respect when it fails those people who have supported our troops with potentially great cost to themselves. Any futher mealy-mouthed utterences from our Great Leader on this issue should only be treated with contempt unless and until all those who risked their lives are given the respect they deserve.

Andy, Exeter,

It's events and hollow promises like these that make me loathe this countryl. Just another example of how Gordon Brown, the MOD and other government departments make the job more difficult for our Armed Forces and undermine our standing in the world.

Peter Hunter, Edinburgh,

This shameful Government should be made to pay for its lies and deceptions once they are out of office. Liars, such a Miliband, have practiced a deception of the most cruel type and level upon the men who risked thier lives to help British soldiers. This is 'criminal'. No other word can describe such an act of deception and betrayal that will lead to the deaths of some and poverty or exile, at the least, for the others.
This government makes me ashamed to be British. No wonder decent people are leaving the U K in droves - sickened by the hypocracy of Labour toadies.

Riley, Kyiv, Ukraine

what the hell is wrong with Britain?

David, London,

One would have thought that these people are well rewarded in that their country is gradually being returned to them. To suggest that being domiciled in Britain is any great prize, in the face of the struggles being endured by all sorts of immigrants here, the general social malaise and the burgeoning credit crises, seems like second prize rather than first. The circumstances that these people may have wanted to have fled from no longer apply. If they thought that their service was to their country, that they were doing what was right and proper, then they have been rewarded. If they did what they did for money, they have long since had their reward. If we seek to undermine Iraq, as we have undermined so many other countries, then all we need to do is to remove the people of conscience, the high-minded and brave, and the job is done. Iraq needs these people, they will play an important part in the nations evolutions; their skills will ensure prosperity in the new order.

Malcolm Turner, Alsager, England

I think the members of this government should hang their collective heads in shame, how many immigrants have been allowed into this country with thousands more coming into this country without any input to the workings of this country yet these interpreters etc, have risked their own lives and their families lives for our benefit in the middle east and this is how we treat them!!! Disgraceful.

Pete Hollyman, Kingsteignton,

Well maybe the interpreters will change their minds as well, and take out a few brit soldiers either directly or by passing over sensitive information to the opposition.

ant, Limoges, France

Promises , promises....why do we even listen, let alone complain when one more promise is made, knowing full well it will be broken? From promises of a referendum on the Euopean constitution, compensation for pensioners, and an increase in police pay to this latest mean and heartless betrayal ( I would have written "dishonourable", but any word connected with honour is obviously absent from this government's vocabulary), we are confronted with an incredible series of broken promises. It would seem that this administration worries far more about political correctness (on the part of other people) than ordinary human decency in its own dealings.

Ian McMorran, Shanghai, China

Britain has never had a reputation for honouring committments. Ask the HSMP's or any immigrant on a 4 year visa about retrospective implementation of new requirements and the added thousands of pounds we have had to pay as a result!!!

Chantel, UK,

Shameful, cynical, shabby. Why are we surprised? This sums up this dreadful, self-serving embarrassing executive.

David Hoggard, York,

i am ashamed of this corrupt country

col, leeds, uk

"If Britain can't support these interpreters, then they should automatically be sent the the United States.

Thomas Folan, Bessboro, Blackrock, County Cork, Ireland"

Mr. Folan, We would be proud to have them.

Paul Woodside, San Jose, California

This is typical of the British Government! Let all the low-life from every part of europe, who will refuse to speak English, walk around if they own the place, setting up Gangs using intimidation & threats & other acts of violence as if they are still in they scum-city they came from! But those from Iraq who have offered valued service who will make a valued contribution, they are refused! If the UK ever needs defending, who do think will do it? No the bunch of low-life "New Immigrants" we have seen that is for sure!!

lee stewart, Kettering, England

It is sad that George W Bush is turning his back on them as well! Him & Gordon Brown are Political Traitors!!

lee stewart, Kettering, England

Why not give them different coloured Passports .. Pattons HK idea and just screw them.. We have no honour as country. And while we are at it we will let the Russian and Columbian mafia into our country, Gordon Brown is not a leader!!

Tristian Gry, Horley, surrey

When will these people learn that if you want to get into the UK you have to have no skills, be unable to speak English and have nothing to offer apart from the ability to sponge of the state and vote labour.

Ajer, Reading, UK

connolly, potters bar, uk: These Iraqi interpreters have proved their loyalyty to Britain. They are 600 as against the hundreds of thousands of immigrants that Britain is allowing in annually. Many of this latter lot have no loyalty whatsoever to Britain and a minority of them would destroy it if they had their head.
If Denmark can let in all theirs then Britain MUST do likewise.

M.Lester, London, UK

The attitude of the government on this issue makes me ashamed to be British.

Betty Harris, London,

Completely agree with all of the previous comments.

What is causing key concern at present, is that even those former translators who "easily qualfy" now have to wait until a Home Office team visits the region in 2008 to interview applicants.

This is a disgrace and will further damage our reputation in the region and around the world.

Mark Brockway, London,

A morally bankrupt government. Most Ministers could not care less while they have their noses in the expenses pot. We will remember at election time.

Alan, Preston,

According to the Danish Radio dr.dk on 09 December, 373 Iraqi interpreters have arrived in Denmark, out of whom 306 have received asylum in Denmark.

These interpreters or other former employees had been working for the Danish forces in the British controlled sector, before the forces were withdrawn earlier in 2007.

Politically speaking, the interpreters were granted asylum, because: "The Brits will also grant their interpreters asylum, just like the Americans".

Any "British" Iraqi interpreter who worked at least 1 hour for joint British/Danish patrols left behind?

A pity, that hate preachers are let in to do their dirty work in London, but people risking their lives for "Queen and Country" are not.

Lund, Hamburg, Germany

When Ministers make offers they should stand by them or be held personally responsible.

Details of their shortcomings could be made freely available at election time- to be shared with their constituents.

DMM, Eastbourne,

What a morally bankrupt regime, no, not Burma, Iraq, Iran, the Sudan, here.
Bunch of spivs.

Ken Wyatt, Todmorden, uk

We do not uphold the duty of care to our own -what chance those of other countries - as for loyalty -or service it counts for nothing-
However should anyone of any nationality - friend or foe-choose to cross several democratic (E.U.)countries to get to the U.K. and then plead polictical asylum they sttill have a very high chance of remaining here-much higher than those who have served the the interests of this nation in Iracq.
A recent visit to France evidenced that this view is still held by hundreds waiting to cross - friend or foe??

mike cassidy, oxford, uk

look after our own people first sorry their are hundreds of youngsrers on the street and old people who cant afford to live. the government should be thinking of them

connolly, potters bar, uk

Again, the government disappoints me. What difference does 600 people make to the overall population in this country. Why make it so hard for these people to enter ? I think that they've earned their right to live in safety.

Barrie, Brussels,

Sure we will take them Thomas Folan. We won't turn our back
on them.

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

And yet, Britain actively seeks the return of those 4 inmates at Guantanamo Bay.....

Michael, London,

If Britain can't support these interpreters, then they should automatically be sent the the United States.

Thomas Folan, Bessboro, Blackrock, County Cork, Ireland