COMEDIAN Jimmy Carr has caused outrage by making a tasteless joke about soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The controversial comic stunned fans with the ill-timed gag about amputees the day after the launch of this year’s Poppy Appeal.

MPs of all parties last night joined a chorus of ­condemnation with former officers and relatives of the many soldiers who have lost limbs in the fighting.

Downing Street took the unusual step of issuing a statement in response to the furore.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: “Our brave Armed Forces put their lives on the line for all of us and deserve the utmost respect.”

There were gasps from the 2,500-strong audience at the Manchester Apollo on Friday night as Carr wrapped up his stand-up routine with the joke: “Say what you like about the servicemen amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan, but we are going to have a ****ing good Paralympics team in 2012.”

Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: “Our Armed Forces are the first to have a rough and ready sense of humour but this goes beyond the pale.” And Colonel Richard Kemp, a former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, branded Carr a “disgrace”.

James Cockburn, stepfather of Marine Ben McBean, who lost an arm and a leg in a Taliban attack in February 2008, said the joke was “in poor taste”.

Ironically, Carr gave Ben, 22, a signed copy of his book when he visited Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey, although the comic left him cold. “Ben thought he was a bit of a numpty,” said Mr Cockburn.

SAS legend Andy McNab said that while Carr has a point – a number of amputee servicemen have been snapped up for the Paralympics because of their athleticism and determination – “it’s not a subject for humour”.

Ironically, Carr gave Ben, 22, a signed copy of his book when he visited Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey, although the comic left him cold. “Ben thought he was a bit of a numpty,” said Mr Cockburn.

Bloody hell, get over yourselves. He's a comedian ffs, and what';s more a comedian who is known for being close to the bone. If you don't like it, dont watch, simples! He makes jokes about many unsavoury topics like rape being surprise sex for example, just like Frankie Boyle making jokes about paedophilia, doesn't mean that he means it personally.

if we dish it out so readily, we've got to be able to take it in the spirit it's meant when it comes our way. it's only a joke for fucks sake.

I can't see the problem really. It's just a joke and I think that he's quite right, we will have a bloody good team in the next Paralympics.

I don't think he was taking the piss out of the soldiers at all and he was pointing out how fit and dedicated these young lads are and how there is still plenty for them to aim for. As has been mooted on here already, I wonder if it's a joke he borrowed off someone at Headley Court, at least he bothered himself to visit which says a lot for him in my book.