Five years on Iraq may still be one of the biggest stories in the world – but fewer British news organisations than ever are covering it full time.

Former Reuters bureau chief Alastair McDonald has noted the sharp decline in the number of UK correspondents covering what has become the most dangerous war ever for journalists.

McDonald was in charge of Reuters’ Baghdad bureau from 2005 to 2007 and keeps in contact with his former colleagues in the company’s fortified downtown Baghdad compound, which is reinforced with 3m-thick concrete and has 24-hour armed security.