Father in legal bid for dead son

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The father of a Welsh Territorial Army soldier killed in Iraq five years ago has begun a legal battle for a full investigation into his son's death.

Anthony Pritchard's son, Corporal Dewi Pritchard, from Bridgend, was killed in Basra in 2003 by gunmen in an ambush.

He claims his 35-year-old son was sent out on a "dangerous mission with inadequate equipment and preparation".

Mr Pritchard has issued a legal claim seeking a judicial review of the coroner's decision on his son's death.

Representing Mr Pritchard, law firm Linder Myers said the coroner for Oxfordshire, who hears all inquests relating to soldiers killed in Iraq, had refused to hold a full investigation.

'Full investigation'

If the case gets the go-ahead for a High Court hearing following the lodging of papers, Mr Pritchard will urge it to overturn the decision and reopen the inquest.

His lawyers would argue in court that "a full investigation must be carried out in order to comply with the coroner's duties under the Human Rights Act".

Mr Pritchard is hoping the a full investigation will uncover the full circumstances surrounding his son's death who was killed alongside two other servicemen.

Corporal Pritchard was serving with 116 Provost Company (Volunteers), Royal Military Police when his unarmoured civilian vehicle was attacked on 23 August 2003.

An electronics engineer, Corporal Pritchard was married and had two children.