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 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Soldiers' deaths 'were avoidable' | Soldiers' deaths 'were avoidable' |
| (about 1 hour 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 said it was a tragedy that represented a "serious failing". | Andrew Walker said it was a tragedy that represented a "serious failing". |
| Black Watch tanks under the overall command of Lt Col Lindsay MacDuff opened fire near Basra in 2003, killing the soldiers, both from Staffordshire. | Black Watch tanks under the overall command of Lt Col Lindsay MacDuff opened fire near Basra in 2003, killing the soldiers, both from Staffordshire. |
| A narrative verdict was recorded in Oxfordshire on Cpl Stephen Allbutt, 35. Trooper David Clarke, 19, also died. | |
| Mr Walker, the assistant deputy coroner, did not record an "unlawful killing" verdict because Cpl Allbutt, from Stoke-on-Trent, died in combat. | Mr Walker, the assistant deputy coroner, did not record an "unlawful killing" verdict because Cpl Allbutt, from Stoke-on-Trent, died in combat. |
| 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 Andrew Walker, coroner | 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 Andrew Walker, coroner |
| The body of Trooper Clarke, 19, of Littleworth, has never been found. | The body of Trooper Clarke, 19, of Littleworth, has never been found. |
| After the inquest, the Ministry of Defence apologised to the soldiers' families and said it would consider Mr Walker's findings to see if further action was needed. | After the inquest, the Ministry of Defence apologised to the soldiers' families and said it would consider Mr Walker's findings to see if further action was needed. |
| The inquest had heard that the two soldiers, who were serving with the Queen's Royal Lancers, had been fired on by a British Black Watch tank crew. | The inquest had heard that the two soldiers, who were serving with the Queen's Royal Lancers, had been fired on by a British Black Watch tank crew. |
| They died just five days after the start of the Iraq war, on 25 March 2003. | They died just five days after the start of the Iraq war, on 25 March 2003. |
| 'Serious failing' | '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. | 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. |
| Maybe the mothers, fathers, husbands and wives of the soldiers in that regiment should question whether they want this man [Lt Col MacDuff] in charge. I wouldn't Debi Allbutt, widow | Maybe the mothers, fathers, husbands and wives of the soldiers in that regiment should question whether they want this man [Lt Col MacDuff] in charge. I wouldn't Debi Allbutt, widow |
| Lt Col MacDuff had earlier told the inquest he had told his men about the presence of two nearby "friendly" tanks, but they said they had not been given the message. | Lt Col MacDuff had earlier told the inquest 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. | 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. | 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". | 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." | 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." |
| Prosecution call | Prosecution call |
| Cpl Allbutt's widow Debie stood beside Daniel Twiddy, who was severely injured in the incident which killed her husband, as she made an emotional statement outside the coroner's court. | Cpl Allbutt's widow Debie stood beside Daniel Twiddy, who was severely injured in the incident which killed her husband, as she made an emotional statement outside the coroner's court. |
| Regrettably, this tragic incident happened in the confused and dangerous environment that characterises war. MoD statement | Regrettably, this tragic incident happened in the confused and dangerous environment that characterises war. MoD statement |
| She called for Lt Col MacDuff, who has been promoted to command a regiment of the Black Watch, to be prosecuted and removed from his post. | She called for Lt Col MacDuff, who has been promoted to command a regiment of the Black Watch, to be prosecuted and removed from his post. |
| "Maybe the mothers, fathers, husbands and wives of the soldiers in that regiment should question whether they want this man in charge. I wouldn't," she said. | "Maybe the mothers, fathers, husbands and wives of the soldiers in that regiment should question whether they want this man in charge. I wouldn't," she said. |
| She also called on the government to end the principle of "combat immunity", which appeared to prevent the coroner from recording an "unlawful killing" verdict. | She also called on the government to end the principle of "combat immunity", which appeared to prevent the coroner from recording an "unlawful killing" verdict. |
| 'Deepest sympathies' | 'Deepest sympathies' |
| Mrs Allbutt told the BBC that the MoD's apology was "not good enough" because it had been issued through the media and did not extend to the injured soldiers. | Mrs Allbutt told the BBC that the MoD's apology was "not good enough" because it had been issued through the media and did not extend to the injured soldiers. |
| In its statement, the MoD said: "We are sorry for the deaths of Cpl Allbutt and Trooper Clarke in Basra in March 2003. | In its statement, the MoD said: "We are sorry for the deaths of Cpl Allbutt and Trooper Clarke in Basra in March 2003. |
| "Regrettably, this tragic incident happened in the confused and dangerous environment that characterises war." | "Regrettably, this tragic incident happened in the confused and dangerous environment that characterises war." |
| The statement also said its internal board of inquiry had identified failings that contributed to the incident and it made a number of recommendations all of which were being implemented. | The statement also said its internal board of inquiry had identified failings that contributed to the incident and it made a number of recommendations all of which were being implemented. |
| Before Mr Walker gave his verdict, lawyers for the MoD indicated that they had not yet had sufficient time to consider whether any prosecutions could be made. | Before Mr Walker gave his verdict, lawyers for the MoD indicated that they had not yet had sufficient time to consider whether any prosecutions could be made. |