Eve-of-battle speech colonel quits Army

The colonel whose eve-of-battle speech to his men before they entered Iraq last year catapulted him to international attention has resigned from the British Army.

Colonel Tim Collins, 43, tendered his resignation last week and is expected to be out of the Army by the summer after 22 years’ service.

The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) refused to comment on his departure, but military sources confirmed the Northern Ireland-born soldier was quitting.

The MoD said: “It is a private matter between the British Army and Colonel Collins.”

A spokesman said it was not normal practice to discuss individuals publicly.

The cigar-chomping soldier with the Hollywood-style good looks appeared to be leaving a disillusioned man.

His wife, Caroline, told the Mail on Sunday: “Tim is no longer convinced that the Army reflects the country with the fourth largest economy in the world. He fears it is becoming a cottage industry.

“He’s worried it is being crippled by political correctness, petty bureaucracy and the refusal of politicians who send British soldiers to war to give them enough money to do their job.”

Mrs Collins told the newspaper a major factor in her husband’s decision to resign was the Army’s failure to support him when he was wrongly accused of mistreating Iraqi prisoners.

A US Army reservist, whom Collins had disciplined in Iraq, made the allegation and the Ministry of Defence launched an extensive investigation, news of which was leaked to the media.

Colonel Collins was eventually exonerated, promoted and awarded an OBE.

Despite being cleared of all allegations, the months-long investigation clearly left a bad taste in his mouth.

Mrs Collins, speaking from their home in Canterbury, Kent, said of her husband: “The height of his ambition was to command The Royal Irish Regiment on operations, something he achieved during the Iraq campaign. It’s time for a fresh challenge.”

The father of five is set on a civilian career in leadership and management training, it is understood.