Commander tells ITV News how equipment requests went unanswered

ITV News Presenter Julie Etchingham reports

Many of the equipment shortages and planning failures in Iraq were not addressed despite the pleas of commanders on the ground.

One such commander was General Sir Richard Shirreff who was in charge of UK forces in Basra during 2006.

He gave evidence to the Iraq Inquiry that was published today.

He told ITV News about how his requests for extra resources went un-answered and how obstinate British military pride meant offers of help from American forces were turned down by his bosses.

By that stage in the conflict - it seemed his mission was to get ready to get the British out rather than solve the problems on the ground.

He said Britain could have achieved a degree of success in Iraq but the necessary resources were not put in place.