A British soldier facing court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan became the star of a 5000-strong ‘Troops Out’ demonstration in London yesterday.

Before the protest rally began, Lance Corporal Joe Glenton accused politicians of abusing the trust of the army and serving soldiers.

Glenton led a crowd of at least 5000 protesters – including former army colleagues, military families and anti-war campaigners – as they snaked through the capital calling for British troops to be brought home.

He addressed protesters at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, and then released a statement, which read: “It is distressing to disobey orders but when Britain follows America in continuing to wage war against one of the world’s poorest countries I feel I have no choice.

“Politicians have abused the trust of the army and the soldiers who serve, that’s why I am compelled and proud to march with the Stop The War Coalition today.”

The married 27-year-old, from York, faces a potential two-year prison sentence after he went absent without leave from the army in 2007 rather than return for a second Afghan tour of duty with the Royal Logistics Corps. His court martial is due to start on November 2.

A total of 222 British troops have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.

Peter Brierley, whose son Lance-Corporal Shaun Brierley, 28, was killed in Iraq in 2003, also attended the march.

Brierley, 59, a CCTV supervisor from Batley, West Yorkshire, hit the headlines this month after refusing to shake hands with Tony Blair, and telling the former Priemier he had blood on his hands.

Brierley said British troops needed to be withdrawn from Afghanistan as soon as possible. He said yesterday: “They need to leave the country to sort itself out. While the British troops are there they are actually bringing in insurgents who are coming in to fight.”

The country’s oldest anti-war demonstrator also joined the march. Londoner Hetty Bowyer, 104, told the crowd: “I march because I can see no reason for further killing.

“I have walked on every march against us going to war. At my age there is not very much I can do, but while my legs can carry me I am going to march.”

The centre of London was brought to a temporary standstill as the protesters made their way to Trafalgar Square.

Some chanted “Gordon Brown – Terrorist” while others sang “What do we want? Troops out” Many carried banners bearing the slogans “Troops home”.

Addressing the crowd, Glenton said: “I’m here today to make a stand beside you because I believe great wrongs have been perpetrated in Afghanistan.

“I cannot, in good conscience, be part of them. I am bound by law and moral duty to try and stop them.

“I am a soldier and I belong to the profession of arms. I expected to go to war but I also expected that the need to defend this country’s interests would be legal and justifiable. I don’t think this is too much to ask. It’s now apparent the conflict is neither of these and that is why I must make this stand.”

l Meanwhile, a poll has also shown half of the UK public believe military victory in Afghanistan is impossible.

Just 6% of those taking part in yesterday’s YouGov poll of 2042 adults said British troops were winning the war, while 36% said they were not winning yet but eventual victory was possible. And 48% said victory was not possible.

Asked when the 9000 British troops should be brought home from Afghanistan 25% said “immediately”, 37% said most should be withdrawn soon, and the remainder wanting a pull out within a year or so.

Some 29% said the UK force should remain ‘as long as Afghanistan’s government wants them there’.