This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6936185.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Brown steps into interpreters row Brown steps into interpreters row
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown says he will review the cases of Iraqi interpreters who have been told any claim for asylum in the UK will not be given special treatment.Gordon Brown says he will review the cases of Iraqi interpreters who have been told any claim for asylum in the UK will not be given special treatment.
The 91 interpreters say they are in fear for their lives, because they are seen as traitors by local militias.The 91 interpreters say they are in fear for their lives, because they are seen as traitors by local militias.
The Home Office insists they will have to apply for asylum in the normal way - registering when they arrive in the UK.The Home Office insists they will have to apply for asylum in the normal way - registering when they arrive in the UK.
Defence Secretary Des Browne told the BBC that the government took its "duty of care very seriously".Defence Secretary Des Browne told the BBC that the government took its "duty of care very seriously".
He said about 20,000 Iraqis had helped British forces since 2003.He said about 20,000 Iraqis had helped British forces since 2003.
No 10 said the issue would be kept under review, but previous decisions were unlikely to be overturned.No 10 said the issue would be kept under review, but previous decisions were unlikely to be overturned.
Requests for help from serving or ex-employees were based on their "individual merits", the MoD said. Requests for help from serving or ex-employees were based on their "individual merits", the Ministry of Defence said.
Mr Browne said: "The challenge that we face here is quite complex.Mr Browne said: "The challenge that we face here is quite complex.
"People who do interpreting work believe themselves to be particularly [more] vulnerable than other people do."People who do interpreting work believe themselves to be particularly [more] vulnerable than other people do.
"That's why the prime minister has made it clear that we will review how best to [carry out] our duty of care to these people."That's why the prime minister has made it clear that we will review how best to [carry out] our duty of care to these people.
"That's in hand, I have a responsibility on that, as does the foreign secretary and we will report to ministers in the autumn.""That's in hand, I have a responsibility on that, as does the foreign secretary and we will report to ministers in the autumn."
'Extremely grateful''Extremely grateful'
Mr Browne also said the government would "move at the appropriate pace" to get its policy right in relation to duty of care "to all of those whom we have a responsibility to".Mr Browne also said the government would "move at the appropriate pace" to get its policy right in relation to duty of care "to all of those whom we have a responsibility to".
He said: "We will do what we can in the meantime, as we continue to do, to keep those people who we think are under immediate threat safe."He said: "We will do what we can in the meantime, as we continue to do, to keep those people who we think are under immediate threat safe."
A government spokeswoman said: "We are extremely grateful for the service of locally-employed staff in Iraq and take their security very seriously.A government spokeswoman said: "We are extremely grateful for the service of locally-employed staff in Iraq and take their security very seriously.
As a matter of honour, we have to look after them one way or the other if they have a genuine case William Hague, shadow foreign secretary As a matter of honour, we have to look after them one way or the other if they have a genuine case William HagueShadow foreign secretary
"We recognise that there are concerns about the safety of former employees. Government keeps all such issues under review and we will now look again at the assistance we provide. "We recognise that there are concerns about the safety of former employees. Government keeps all such issues under review and we will now look again at the assistance we provide."
"This is a genuinely complex issue and we welcome further discussion, but we need to consider all the options very carefully." Loay Al-Taher worked for the British Army in Basra for three years. He is now in Syria after fleeing Iraq in March this year when he feared being targeted by militia groups.
Loay Al-Taher worked for the British Army in Basra for three years. He is now in Syria after fleeing Iraq in March this year when he became afraid of being targeted by militia groups.
He told the BBC: "I put my whole life in danger. I didn't imagine it was going to be like this.He told the BBC: "I put my whole life in danger. I didn't imagine it was going to be like this.
"I didn't imagine the British government is going to abandon me like this.""I didn't imagine the British government is going to abandon me like this."
Mr Al-Taher also said he was turned away from the British embassy in Damascus when he went to ask for asylum in the UK.Mr Al-Taher also said he was turned away from the British embassy in Damascus when he went to ask for asylum in the UK.
Asylum grantedAsylum granted
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says interpreters are marked men who "face a horrific death".BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says interpreters are marked men who "face a horrific death".
He said the interpreters face two levels of danger: that experienced while on patrol, and the consequences of being seen as collaborators.He said the interpreters face two levels of danger: that experienced while on patrol, and the consequences of being seen as collaborators.
"Anybody associated with the coalition, government ministries, and so on, they're all seen as traitors by the militias."Anybody associated with the coalition, government ministries, and so on, they're all seen as traitors by the militias.
"Not just by al-Qaeda in the Sunni areas, but by the Shia militias in the south.""Not just by al-Qaeda in the Sunni areas, but by the Shia militias in the south."
The United States has said it will accept 7,000 Iraqis in the coming year, and after Denmark withdrew its troops, it granted asylum to 60 Iraqis and their families. The US has said it will accept 7,000 Iraqis in the coming year, and after Denmark withdrew its troops, it granted asylum to 60 Iraqis and their families.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "As a matter of honour, we have to look after them one way or the other if they have a genuine case."Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "As a matter of honour, we have to look after them one way or the other if they have a genuine case."
An MoD spokesman said the government took the safety of local people who work for them "very seriously".An MoD spokesman said the government took the safety of local people who work for them "very seriously".
He said "In operational theatres, we consider any specific requests for assistance from serving or ex-employees on their individual merits". He said: "In operational theatres, we consider any specific requests for assistance from serving or ex-employees on their individual merits".