OUTRAGE has been expressed at a Taunton businessman who said he would rather employ ex drug dealers and paedophiles than former service personnel.

Karl Winn, 60, sticks by the comments he made in an e-mail to the Forces Recruitment Services, which helps find jobs for ex squaddies back on Civvy Street.

Mr Winn claims some British troops have committed murders and rapes against unarmed civilians in Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan and should not be treated as heroes.

He said: "If you have a paedophile, at least he goes to court and is seen to be accountable for what he's done."

FRS managing director Graham Brown said he was staggered by Mr Winn's beliefs, which were expressed as 40 Commando Royal Marines - based at nearby Norton Manor Camp - prepare to leave for Afghanistan.

Taunton MP Jeremy Browne said: "This is an extraordinary comment that will cause widespread offence.

"Every applicant for a job should be judged on his or her individual merits.

"As well as serving our country, ex-soldiers have demonstrated a capacity for discipline, bravery and teamwork that should make them ideal employees in most circumstances."

For more on this story, see tomorrow's Somerset County Gazette.