The Ministry of Defence responded to his comments by saying: "We have a clear strategy in Iraq. We are there with our international partners in support of the democratically elected government of Iraq, under a clear UN mandate."

Colonel Tim Collins, one of the most senior British Army officers in Iraq in 2003 said General Dannatt had given a “refreshing and very honest insight into what the army generally feel”, remarks which soldiers in the field would welcome. He said: “He is not a politician and he is not given to spin, so what you hear from him is absolutely ground truth.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Garver, the spokesman for the US military in Baghdad, said: "Britain is an important ally. The withdrawal of troops is something that is discussed in open forums in democracies but we are not going to make any comments."

Liam Fox, Shadow Defence Secretary: "To have one of our senior military figures speaking out on behalf of those under his command is a refreshing change. When I was in Iraq, soldiers told me the same thing."

Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the general's comments undermined the Government's position. He said: "When he says 'soon' in relation to Britain withdrawing should that now be measured in a matter of months rather than years?"

Sarah Sands, the journalist who conducted the interview for the Daily Mail, said she did not believe Sir Richard had deliberately set out to be controversial. "He is an honest soldier. He was giving an assessment which wasn't intended to be political. It was the truth as he saw it."

George Galloway, Respect MP and outspoken critic of the war: "Mutiny in the ranks is one thing, but this is a declaration of mutiny by the very shiniest of the top brass.

"Britain's top soldier says that this war is at best naive and at worst a disaster, and that it is certainly untenable - in which case why should British soldiers risk leaving their bones in Iraq? If they listen to their Commanding Officer, they must surely conclude that now is the time to collectively demand that they return home."

Andrew Burgin of the Stop the War Coalition: "He has articulated what we have been saying for a long period now: that the presence of the British forces is exacerbating the security problems in Iraq itself. We would be honoured to invite him to speak at the next Stop the War demonstration. He has made a very powerful case for the troops to be withdrawn from Iraq and he is exactly right.

The Labour peer and former minister, Lord Foulkes, said: "The continuing attempts to undermine the Government by some sections of the media are merely serving to undermine the position of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and are irresponsible and prejudicial to what our forces have been asked to undertake."

Rose Gentle, whose soldier son Gordon was killed in Iraq two years ago, said: "It's absolutely brilliant, I'm glad someone has finally said something. We have said all along that our boys are not helping by being out there, they are causing it. I'm glad the Army has stood up for itself.

"I hope Tony Blair sees sense now and brings our boys home, because it's their lives that are in danger. I'm just really delighted that Sir Richard has stood up and spoken out. He is protecting our boys. We have been saying for two years this needed to happen and I think military families have done a good bit."

Reg Keys, whose son Thomas was murdered by a gang of Iraqi men along with his five fellow Royal Military Police officers in 2003, said: "Iraq has been a clear strategic failure and a political failure. There has to come a point that this is unacceptable. Iraq is in complete meltdown which means my son technically died for nothing. He died serving his country which I'm proud of but he did not die defending his country."

Major General Patrick Cordingly, who commanded the Desert Rats during the 1991 Gulf War, said: "I think it is a very brave thing for him to say. I do agree. I think there comes a time when you have got to let Iraq get on and look after its own security. Training has gone on to get the police and army forces working, there has to be a time when we do pull out. Maybe the General is thinking that if we had a few more troops in southern Afghanistan we might tip the balance there."

Basra school teacher, Fatima Ahmed, 35, said: “In the last three years, people started to look at these troops in a different way. They simply hate these troops. I think the general’s statement is aimed at preparing an appropriate atmosphere for these troops to suddenly withdraw.”

Ali Abdul-Abbas, 31, a shop owner from Basra, said: “These troops, especially those in the south, have become a nightmare which terrifies children and women. They have to leave before a catastrophe occurs.”

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