Central Command, headed by General Lloyd Austin, has stopped discussing Syria action with Britain (Reuters)
Central Command, headed by Gen Lloyd Austin, has stopped discussing Syria action with Britain (Reuters)

Britain's top brass have been kicked out of US-led discussions about Syria over fears that they cannot be trusted with information about a conflict they would not be involved in.

Thirty senior British officers were banned from meetings at the US Central Command in Tampa, Florida, on the grounds that they were no longer "reliable" following the House of Commons vote against military action in Syria.

According to the Times, US generals believe that British officers may leak details about the classified discussions at the meeting as the US and France draw up plans for military action in reprisal for the Ghouta gas attack in which some 1,500 people were reportedly killed.

A British defence official said: "No British officers are now engaged in military planning for Syria at Central Command and none of them will be involved in the execution of the operation."

Another former officer added that Britain was now considered "non-reliable as far as this operation is concerned".

The officer, who served alongside US forces, added that the exclusion was expected.

"Who knows if these British officers aren't going to go off after attending these meetings to speak to their own chain of command about their content, who will then speak to politicians, and for all the Americans know, it is going to become a leak?"

The Pentagon played down the exclusion.

"It would be normal for a country that is no longer participating in an operation to cease to be involved in the planning. I wouldn't read much into this," a source said.

There were talks of a potential strain in the 'Special Eelationship' between the US and Britain after Prime Minister David Cameron failed to secure backing for intervention in Syria.

Cameron said that following the 285-272 vote against military action, that the American people and President Obama would understand the result.

However, these latest reports suggest that cracks in the 'Special Relationship' were beginning to show.

Kevan Jones, shadow armed forces minister, said: "This is the first practical example of the strain which Cameron's mishandling of the Syrian policy is having on the traditionally close working relationship between the two nations' armed forces. This will be very uncomfortable for many in the senior military."

US Secretary of State John Kerry praised France's role in the potential action in Syria, describing them as Washington's "oldest ally".