Inquest hears of armour shortages

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An inquest has begun hearing how a tank commander died after being told to hand back life-saving body armour.

Sergeant Steven Roberts, 33, from Shipley, West Yorkshire, was shot dead by "friendly fire" as he manned a checkpoint in Iraq in March 2003.

Initially it was believed he had been shot by an Iraqi, who also died.

Sgt Roberts, originally of Wadebridge, Cornwall, had been ordered to give up his enhanced combat body armour three days before his death due to shortages.

The death sparked massive controversy, leading to calls for then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon to be sacked.

Jammed pistol

The inquest, in Oxford, heard from Lieutenant Michael Fielder, the leader of the three Challenger tanks including the one being commanded by Sgt Roberts, patrolling outside Az Zubayr.

He said Sgt Roberts had dismounted from his tank and was checking vehicles for weapons when he came under attack from an Iraqi throwing rocks.

He said then he saw Sgt Roberts' pistol jam and believed he dropped to one knee to change weapons.

The third tank in the group then opened fire with its 7.62mm coaxial mounted machine gun, Lt Fielder told the inquest.

He said he then saw both Sgt Roberts and the Iraqi fall to the ground.

Lt Fielder, now a Captain, said Sgt Roberts, as far as he knew, was wearing body armour beneath his combat jacket, but without high-velocity protective plates.

He said "some people" were issued with armoured vests and plates but there was a shortage.

'No vest'

Some vests and plates had to be handed back to give to infantry soldiers, considered to be more of a "priority", he said.

"I had a set of plates but no vest to put them in," said Lt Fielder.

He said he was not sure what members of his troop had what items of protective gear.

The Coroner asked: "How long after this tragedy was it that you received enough equipment?"

"About a week," replied the officer.

The inquest is continuing.