There have been questions about a lack of kit

The commanding officer of the Black Watch, Lieutenant Colonel James Cowan, said that men were left with a shortage of kit by the Ministry of Defence.

He insisted troops were sent to Iraq without equipment needed to survive a chemical or biological attack.

Ex-defence minister Lewis Moonie said some kit had been ordered late because the government was trying to avoid war.

"There was a constraint on us in the sense that we were looking for a peaceful resolution to this," Mr Moonie said.

"In that situation you have to be compatible with what you believe.

"If you believe there is a chance of peace, then you should not be preparing all-out for war."

I think as the information starts to unravel it's quite clear that many of our service personnel were put at a degree of risk John Swinney SNP

However, Lt Col Cowan believes problems came about through a lack of preparation.

It was revealed last week that a tank commander, Sergeant Stephen Roberts - who died in Iraq - had also complained of equipment shortages.

Lt Col Cowan claimed the government did not want to be seen to be preparing for war while debate continued in parliament and at the United Nations.

He also argued that ministers did not want to be seen to be buying equipment too soon.

Lt Col Cowan told The Scotsman: "As a result, many items of equipment were not available in the right numbers, in the right place, in the right working order at the time they should have been and I think that is widely acknowledged.

'Pooh-poohed'

"I think there is a clear realisation that if decisions had been taken earlier then the right kit could have been in place, but there is a clear understanding as to why those decisions were not made. "

Black Watch Regimental Sergeant Major Brian Cooper also criticised the shortage of nuclear, biological and chemical protection suits and equipment.

However, both men said complaints should be kept in perspective, considering the success of the campaign and the amount of equipment transported to the Gulf.

Leader of the Scottish National Party, John Swinney, said the "most disturbing thing" was that concerns were raised at the time and were then "pooh-poohed" by the MoD.

Lewis Moonie said soldiers had not voiced concerns

He added: "How on earth would the Ministry of Defence send people into war without the proper equipment?

"I think as the information starts to unravel it's quite clear that many of our service personnel were put at a degree of risk."

And the Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames MP said the commanding officer's views confirmed the Conservative Party's criticism of the government.

"A political decision was taken not to order equipment, or to be seen preparing for war, whilst debate continued at the UN Security Council and in parliament.

"This act of negligence on the part of the Government, rendered the military impotent to put in place the necessary full range of equipment across the board in order to prosecute a major land campaign," said Mr Soames.

He demanded a Commons statement from the government on equipment shortages in Iraq.

Mr Moonie denied Black Watch soldiers had voiced their concerns prior to the war.

He said: "I was out in the Gulf about a week before the conflict started and I specifically went out to speak to the Black Watch.

"I can assure you there was no ridicule carried out at that time - on the contrary, it was actually difficult to get anything out of the guys other than that they were raring to go."