MoD reveals nine cases of conscientious objecting

Nine British servicemen and women have applied to be discharged from the military as conscientious objectors since the start of the war in Afghanistan, official figures disclose.

Six of them - two from the Royal Navy and four from the RAF - were granted the right to leave the armed forces because of moral, political or religious objections. Among the three who failed in their bid was Royal Navy medic Michael Lyons, who unsuccessfully took his case to an appeal panel in December.

No members of the army have sought to be classified as conscientious objectors since UK forces joined US-led attacks on Afghanistan in 2001, Ministry of Defence statistics show.