This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6295460.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Troop deaths 'avoidable tragedy' Soldiers' deaths 'were avoidable'
(18 minutes later)
A coroner has criticised an Army officer over a "completely avoidable tragedy" in which two British soldiers were killed by "friendly fire" in Iraq.A coroner has criticised an Army officer over a "completely avoidable tragedy" in which two British soldiers were killed by "friendly fire" in Iraq.
Andrew Walker, Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner, recorded a narrative verdict on Cpl Stephen Allbutt's death.Andrew Walker, Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner, recorded a narrative verdict on Cpl Stephen Allbutt's death.
He was unable to record an "unlawful killing" verdict because the 35-year-old died in a combat situation. He did not record an "unlawful killing" verdict because the 35-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, died in combat.
Trooper David Clarke, 19, died in the same incident but because no body was found an inquest could not be held. Trooper David Clarke, 19, of Littleworth, Staffs, also died but his body has never been found.
The inquest heard that the pair had been fired on by a Black Watch tank crew. The inquest heard that the pair had been fired on by a British Black Watch tank crew.
Cpl Allbutt, a father-of-two from Stoke-on-Trent, and Trooper Clarke, of Littleworth, died just five days after the start of the Iraq war, near Basra on 25 March 2003. They died just five days after the start of the Iraq war, near Basra, on 25 March 2003.
They had both been serving with the Queen's Royal Lancers.They had both been serving with the Queen's Royal Lancers.
'Serious failing'
Mr Walker said that Lt Col Lindsay MacDuff, who was a major commanding B Company, 1 Black Watch, at the time had "failed to appreciate" the danger the men were in when discussing platoon positions with the tank troop commander.
Lt Col MacDuff had earlier told the inquest that he had told his men about the presence of two nearby friendly tanks, but they said they had not been given the message.
Mr Walker concluded on Thursday that there was "no evidence" that any message had been passed to the tank commander.
A crucial radio log had gone missing, he said.
Mr Walker criticised the gaps in communication between commanding officers and said Cpl Allbutt's death followed a "catalogue of misunderstandings and failures".
He said: "The centre of this tragedy represents a serious failing and it will fall to others to question the fitness of this officer (Lt Col MacDuff) to hold command."