Defence minister says sorry over deathtrap Land Rovers
THE Defence Secretary has finally apologised to the parents of soldiers killed using lightly-armoured Snatch Land Rovers in Iraq.
In a letter sent to at least three families, Sir Michael Fallon admitted that bringing alternative protected vehicles into service ‘could have saved lives’.
It is the first time the Ministry of Defence has publicly acknowledged criticism in the Chilcot report of Snatch Land Rovers, dubbed ‘mobile coffins’ by British soldiers.
Sir Michael made the comments as the MoD paid compensation to relatives of troops killed in the Iraq War after a four-year legal battle.
His letter has prompted the loved ones of those killed in Afghanistan to demand an apology after their sons were also killed in similar Land Rovers.
The Chilcot Inquiry highlighted a string of MoD failings in the preparation for the Iraq War, including a delay in replacing the Snatch Land Rovers which were vulnerable to roadside bombs.
At least 37 UK soldiers died in Iraq and Afghanistan while travelling in them and they were finally replaced in 2008. Private Phillip Hewett, fordshire,Land in Two July Rover 2005. other21, died whichof soldiers Tamworth,drivingwas from blowna SnatchStaf- 1st up Battalion,ment were The killed Staffordshireby the impro-Regivised explosive device.
His mother, Sue Smith, who received Sir Michael’s letter in May, said the apology was ‘bittersweet’, telling the BBC: ‘I’d like it to be that his death made a difference. He’s not just a casualty of Iraq. Iraq is almost forgotten now. It’s almost Britain’s Vietnam. People don’t want to remember.’ Ian Sadler, whose son Jack died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2007, said: ‘The Snatch had more protection than the WMIK Land Rover Jack Sadler was killed in. Where’s the apology for Jack? We all deserve an apology in writing. I feel very strongly about this.’ In his letter to Mrs Smith, the Defence Secretary wrote: ‘I am fully aware of the struggle you have had to bring this matter to court over the last decade and I recognise that this has had a significant impact on you and your family. The Government entirely accepts the findings of Sir John Chilcot in the Iraq Inquiry in relation to the Snatch Land Rover.’ He added: ‘I would like to express directly to you my deepest sympathies and apologise for the delay, resulting in decisions taken at the time in bringing into service alternative protected vehicles which could have saved lives.’ He said lessons have been learned, adding: ‘The Government must and will ensure that our Armed Forces are always properly equipped and resourced.’
The families of Private Lee Ellis and Lance Corporal Redpath also received a settlement and letter.
It follows a lengthy legal battle which saw the Supreme Court rule the families could bring compensation claims against the Government under legislation covering negligence and human rights.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling in 2013, the MoD continued to contest the case.
But after publication of the
‘They wanted to break me’
report into the Iraq War by Sir John Chilcot in July 2016, the MoD settled the claims out of court and decided to pay compensation.
The report found the MoD had known about the vehicle’s vulnerability and for years had failed to provide better armour.
Mrs Smith criticised the MoD, saying a lot of information it said was unavailable or too difficult to provide, had already be handed over to Chilcot.
‘Never for one minute did I think my family would be treated in this way,’ she said. ‘I think they wanted to break me so that I would walk away but, it only made me more determined to fight on.’