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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK considered Iraq arrest plan | UK considered Iraq arrest plan |
| (about 4 hours 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 |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| What is it about this incident that the MoD and the government and the Iraq government just will not act on John Miller, father of Cpl Simon Miller | |
| Reg Keys, father of Tom Keys, told the BBC the families have experienced "12 months of frustration". | |
| "I will be saying to Mr Browne 'Tell us whether you are going to arrest them, yes or no." | |
| He said if an operation to execute the warrants were to be "effective and professionally run, it has to be British-led". | |
| Simon Miller's father, John, said: "I've been saying for a long time now - what is it about this incident that the MoD and the government and the Iraq government just will not act on. | |
| "It becomes very suspicious. I don't believe it will ever happen." | |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the Baghdad court's arrest warrant had not yet been followed through. | 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. | But the UK was applying diplomatic pressure at high levels. |
| "We do not have the power to put people on trial - we are present in Iraq at its government's request and must respect its sovereignty. | "We do not have the power to put people on trial - we are present in Iraq at its government's request and must respect its sovereignty. |
| "UK forces are legally allowed to detain persons suspected of committing an offence in Iraq but detainees are handed to Iraqi authorities as soon as is practicable - usually less than eight hours." | "UK forces are legally allowed to detain persons suspected of committing an offence in Iraq but detainees are handed to Iraqi authorities as soon as is practicable - usually less than eight hours." |
| An MoD inquiry into the deaths found they could not have been prevented. | 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. |