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Iraq mothers camp outside No 10 Iraq mothers camp outside No 10
(about 5 hours later)
The mothers of soldiers killed while serving in Iraq are to camp outside Downing Street as part of a campaign for a complete withdrawal of UK troops. Mothers of soldiers killed in Iraq have set up camp outside Downing Street and handed in a letter calling for a meeting with Tony Blair.
The group, joined by mothers of serving solders, is also calling for improved health care for returning troops. Rose Gentle, whose 19-year-old son Gordon was killed in Basra in 2004, said: "A lot of families have questions that need answering".
Demonstrators will camp outside Downing Street until Sunday morning. She is among those sleeping in a tent on Whitehall until Sunday morning.
A No 10 spokesman said there was nothing to add to Tony Blair's announcement that 1,600 UK troops would return from Iraq within a few months. On Saturday the Stop the War Coalition will hold rallies in London and Glasgow calling for all troops to be withdrawn.
Rose Gentle, whose 19-year-old son Gordon was killed by a bomb in Basra in 2004, said: "The families want a commitment for better health care when they return to the UK and we want Mr Blair to bring them all home." Mrs Gentle and Janet Lowrie were heading up the small protest, which was sandwiched between about 80 noisy campaigners calling for an end to "Ethiopian aggression in Somalia".
Mr Blair should come and speak to us. If he can speak to film stars that are in town he can speak to us Rose Gentle Where are British troops?Mr Blair should come and speak to us. If he can speak to film stars that are in town he can speak to us Rose Gentle Where are British troops?
The mothers also wanted to discuss troops' equipment, she said. Mrs Gentle told the BBC News website that more protesters were expected to join them over the weekend.
The group, which will hand in a letter outlining concerns to No 10 at 1500 GMT on Friday, is also urging Prime Minister Tony Blair to visit demonstrators this weekend. But, on her sixth visit to try to get a meeting with Mr Blair, she did not have much hope of getting one.
"We think he should show a wee bit of respect to the families," said Mrs Gentle, from Glasgow.
"He has refused to meet me."
Better healthcare
Referring to the prime minister's recent meeting with Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty, Mrs Gentle said: "Mr Blair should come and speak to us. If he can speak to film stars that are in town he can speak to us."Referring to the prime minister's recent meeting with Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty, Mrs Gentle said: "Mr Blair should come and speak to us. If he can speak to film stars that are in town he can speak to us."
The Downing Street spokesman said Mr Blair would be staying at his Chequers country residence at the weekend so would not be able to meet the group. She would like the troops to be withdrawn from Iraq, for proper equipment for those who are serving out there and for better healthcare for those who have returned.
Joining Mrs Gentle and Mrs Lowrie was veteran peace protester Peggie Preston, 83, who lives in central London.
Mrs Gentle said more protesters were expected over the weekend
Although she was in the WAAF in World War II, she has been a peace campaigner for years and visited Iraq during the first Gulf War.
She said it had been "wonderful" to go into Downing Street, but she would not be camping out: "I used to do it, I used to be involved in all things like that but I can't walk properly [now]".
A No 10 spokesman said there was nothing to add to Tony Blair's announcement that 1,600 UK troops would return from Iraq within a few months.
He said Mr Blair would be staying at his Chequers country residence at the weekend so would not be able to meet the group.
'Private matters'
"Mr Blair will have written personally to all of them," he added."Mr Blair will have written personally to all of them," he added.
"The letters are private matters between them and the prime minister.""The letters are private matters between them and the prime minister."
Cuts announced
On Saturday afternoon, the group will join a demonstration march from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square.On Saturday afternoon, the group will join a demonstration march from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square.
Protesters are calling for all British troops to be withdrawn from Iraq as well as an end to plans to replace Trident nuclear weapons.Protesters are calling for all British troops to be withdrawn from Iraq as well as an end to plans to replace Trident nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, Mr Blair told MPs that some 1,600 British troops would return from Iraq within the next few months.On Wednesday, Mr Blair told MPs that some 1,600 British troops would return from Iraq within the next few months.
He said the 7,100 serving troops would be cut to 5,500 soon, with hopes that 500 more will leave by late summer.He said the 7,100 serving troops would be cut to 5,500 soon, with hopes that 500 more will leave by late summer.
Asked about the announcement, Mrs Gentle said: "I thought it was good news, it's a start, hopefully."