Britain failed to send enough troops to protect the people of Basra and, as a consequence, security in the southern Iraqi city is now deteriorating, an influential American general said today.

The comment, from General Jack Keane, who, though retired, is used as a special envoy between the American military in Baghdad and the White House, was the latest evidence of apparent growing concern in Washington over the level of extremist violence in Basra, coinciding with Britain’s intention to hand the city over to Iraqi seurity control in the next few weeks.

General Keane, who is close to General David Petraeus, the US commander in Baghdad, and was one of the architects of the surge policy to reinforce Baghdad with thousands of extra US troops, said: “The Brits have never had enough troops to truly protect the population and we have found that out painfully in the central region as well.”

Britain sent about 45,000 troops to fight in the war against Saddam Hussein’s forces in March 2003, but the current total is 5,500.

Iraq timeline: five years of conflict

From accusations that the weapons of mass destruction dossier had been sexed-up to withdrawal of British troops from Basra

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Speaking on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, General Keane said the situation in Basra was now “considerably worse” and that it could deteriorate further if British troops pulled out of the city, as planned. The 500-man battalion based at Basra Palace in the heart of the city is expected to be withdrawn soon.

“I think it has been gradually deteriorating, with almost gangland warfare and the lack of ability of the police to control that level of violence,” General Keane said.

Commenting on reported American concerns about Britain’s withdrawal plans, General Keane, who has just returned from a trip to Baghdad, said: “From a military perspective I know what the commanders are trying to avoid is having to send reinforcements to the south from forces that are needed in the central part of Iraq. That situation could arise if the situation gets worse in Basra, if and when British troops leave.”

He added: “I think there is a general disengagement from what the key issues are around Basra. I imagine that is where the source of frustation is.”

Responding to General Keane’s remarks, the Ministry of Defence said: “We are not suggesting there are no security problems in Basra. There are challenges but the Iraqis’ ability to confront these themselves is growing and it is appropriate that they take on more responsibility for doing so.”

The MoD added: “Our plans are not inconsistent with those of the US. We remain united in our strategy of handing over provinces to Iraqi control as and when conditions allow. The situation in Baghdad is very different to that in Basra and, as such, different responses are required.”

General Keane also suggested that the British Army — at about 100,000 personnel — was too small to cope with the demands of the 21st century. The US Army and Marine Corps are being increased in size, and General Keane said: “I think the same thing applies to the proud and distinguished British Army, it needs to grow in size to help assist in maintaining security as the situations in the 21st century begin to evolve and challenge the West.”

Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, has hinted that the Army might have to be increased in size. He said recently that if the present two campaigns, with 5,500 troops in Iraq and 7,700 in Afghanistan, continued over a long period, it might be necessary to have a bigger Army. General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the Army, said in Afghanistan last week that his service was “stretched”.

Also reacting to General Keane’s comments, Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: “The reason British forces have experienced such difficulties in southern Iraq has nothing to do with a lack of numbers or professionalism, but everything to do with the fact that they have been given an impossible task.”

He added: “American frustration is nothing compared to the frustration felt by British troops as a result of the failure to make proper plans for post-conflict Iraq and the subsequent mishandling of the situation.”

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