‘Iraq War report changes nothing’

Parents of airwoman killed in Basra insist that invasion was right thing to do

The parents of a former Canterbury schoolgirl killed in the Iraq war say the findings of the Chilcot report published yesterday make no difference to them.

Terry and Susan Poole lost their daughter, Fl Lt Sarah-jayne Mulvihill, in May 2006 when the Lynx helicopter she was flying in was shot down by insurgents.

Speaking from their home in Hunter’s Chase, Broomfield, they said the publication of the longawaited inquiry has changed nothing for them.

Terry, 64, a retired carpenter, said: “We’ve come to terms with our loss, although it still hurts. Whatever the report says makes no difference whatsoever and won’t bring anyone back.

“It’s always easier in hindsight, but I think we went to war with the best of the intentions, even if some of the information now turns out to be flawed.

“It’s damning in some respects but a lot of what is being said in the report was already out there.

“Even if Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction at the time of the invasion, it may well have had in a few years’ time.

“The trouble is that I don’t think a lot of families will get what they want out of it, someone held directly responsible.”

Sarah-jayne, who attended Barton Court Grammar School in Canterbury and grew up in Broomfield, was among five killed in the helicopter when it was brought down over Basra.

She had been an airwoman for nine years and was a flight operations manager involved in gen- eral intelligence briefings and planned air movements.

She was described by her senior officers as bright, upbeat and unselfish, as well as ambitious and competitive. She was married to a fellow airmen, Lee Mulvihill.

Her mother Susan, 63, a retired mental health team manager, said: “We’ve never been angry because it was her job and she enjoyed it and it was her life.

“We’ve got too many good, happy memories and if you’re angry for too long you get bitter. We know people who have split up over it because they are so angry, which is sad.

“We have memories of Sarah we will treasure for the rest of our lives, but life has to go on.

“Sarah was proud to do her job and knew what the consequences might be.

“I think there are people who need closure. I’m just sad it has taken so long and cost so much money. It’s ridiculous.”

Terry added: “I really hope those people who need that closure get it, but we don’t need it. We’ve had our closure and the RAF were very good to us.”