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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| UK considered Iraq arrest plan | UK considered Iraq arrest plan |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The government considered a British operation to arrest eight people suspected of killing a group of UK Red Caps in Iraq in 2003, documents show. | The government considered a British operation to arrest eight people suspected of killing a group of UK Red Caps in Iraq in 2003, documents show. |
| Foreign Office documents obtained by the BBC reveal that the plan for unilateral action was later rejected for fear of stoking up controversy. | Foreign Office documents obtained by the BBC reveal that the plan for unilateral action was later rejected for fear of stoking up controversy. |
| The six military policemen were killed by an Iraqi mob in Majar al-Kabir. | The six military policemen were killed by an Iraqi mob in Majar al-Kabir. |
| Families of some of the dead men say they are frustrated by local inaction and have renewed calls for arrests. | Families of some of the dead men say they are frustrated by local inaction and have renewed calls for arrests. |
| The Red Caps were set upon by an estimated 400 Iraqis in a police station in June 2003. | The Red Caps were set upon by an estimated 400 Iraqis in a police station in June 2003. |
| Last February, a court in Baghdad issued arrest warrants for eight suspects. | Last February, a court in Baghdad issued arrest warrants for eight suspects. |
| A year on, nobody has been detained despite pressure from the UK government. | A year on, nobody has been detained despite pressure from the UK government. |
| Unlawful killing | Unlawful killing |
| Families of the dead soldiers say that, when they have asked for unilateral action, they have been told Iraq security forces are required to take the lead. | Families of the dead soldiers say that, when they have asked for unilateral action, they have been told Iraq security forces are required to take the lead. |
| The families say they are due to meet Defence Secretary Des Browne in a fortnight and will raise the issue again. | The families say they are due to meet Defence Secretary Des Browne in a fortnight and will raise the issue again. |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the Baghdad court's arrest warrant had not yet been followed through. | |
| But the UK was applying diplomatic pressure at high levels. | |
| "We do not have the power to put people on trial - we are present inIraq at its Government's request and must respect its sovereignty. | |
| "UK forces are legally allowed to detain persons suspected of committing anoffence in Iraq but detainees are handed to Iraqi authorities as soon as ispracticable - usually less than eight hours." | |
| An MoD inquiry into the deaths found they could not have been prevented. | |
| In March 2006, a coroner recorded a narrative verdict of unlawful killing. | In March 2006, a coroner recorded a narrative verdict of unlawful killing. |
| Nicholas Gardiner said the six men should have been better equipped, but their deaths could not have been avoided. | Nicholas Gardiner said the six men should have been better equipped, but their deaths could not have been avoided. |
| The six Red Caps killed were Sgt Simon Hamilton-Jewell, 41, from Chessington, Surrey; Cpl Russell Aston, 30, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire; Cpl Paul Long, 24, of Tyne and Wear; L/Cpl Benjamin McGowan Hyde, 23, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire; L/Cpl Tom Keys, 20, from Bala, North Wales; and Cpl Simon Miller, 21, from Tyne and Wear. | The six Red Caps killed were Sgt Simon Hamilton-Jewell, 41, from Chessington, Surrey; Cpl Russell Aston, 30, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire; Cpl Paul Long, 24, of Tyne and Wear; L/Cpl Benjamin McGowan Hyde, 23, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire; L/Cpl Tom Keys, 20, from Bala, North Wales; and Cpl Simon Miller, 21, from Tyne and Wear. |