THE might of the British military has thrown down the gauntlet to Saddam Hussein...in the name of BOLTON.

As forces gather to put the pressure on the Iraqi leader in the deepening political crisis, defence chiefs have refused to back down over the surprise controversial code-name for the huge operation.

The Ministry of Defence has refused to change the name of Operation Bolton, which they say was selected "completely at random" by computer.

Today, Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon pledged to raise the issue with defence ministers.

He said: "Bolton always needs publicity but perhaps not of this kind. In Bolton, as in any town, people will hold different views on events in the Gulf and I can see that such a link, however co-incidental, could cause offence."

He added: "I'm sure there are plenty of other types of name they could use that have nothing to do with any town or city. I shall raise that point with ministers." Bolton North East MP David Crausby backed Mr Iddon. He said: "The question of Iraq is controversial enough. It would seem sensible to avoid place names."

Famous military operations have carried a variety of names - Overlord (D-Day) and Desert Storm (Gulf War) - but none were linked with British towns or cities. .

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The name of this established operation will not change.

"Various names are used for a wide variety of operations, most of which never become public knowledge. Clearly this one has because of the current circumstances.

"No particular significance need be drawn into this name."

Operation Bolton is co-ordinating a 2,300 strong military deployment in the Gulf. The man in charge, Lt Gen Sir Christopher Wallace is based in a 150ft deep reinforced concrete bunker below London.

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