If this incident did happen, something similar to the plot to kidnap a British solider in the UK perhaps. Then I think it would be gloves off time for the SAS. I am not suggesting they are been held back however, skinning a British soldier alive? On the internet? Any political leader, which doesn’t get fully behind a response, is going to get knocked over.
As a Brit, we like Americans have pride and faith in our armed forces. Can you imagine the kind of TV, which would be running in the UK? The tabloids? Interviews with the soldier’s wife and children? Public opinion IMO would backlash harshly against the government – Why weren’t there enough forces (and helicopters) to save this soldiers life? Does it have anything to do with Iraq? – And any political leader, which tries to make hay out of the soldier’s death. The Lib Dems under Clegg are working hard to get noticed and I think they are the most likely party in the UK to go anti war in Afghanistan eventually, however I cannot imagine them choosing to attack the government over the horrific way this soldier died.
I would think we would see, retribution in Afghanistan and perhaps have the army move into more offensive operations, despite been stretched, for political reasons. However my biggest concern would be how some elements in the UK react, we have seen those hooligans in the UK recently etc. How quickly it could spiral out of control, with some yob, taking advantage of the situation.