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Army supply 'chaos' proved fatal Army supply 'chaos' proved fatal
(about 5 hours later)
A coroner has ruled that an Army logistics failure led to the unlawful killing of a Scottish soldier in Iraq.A coroner has ruled that an Army logistics failure led to the unlawful killing of a Scottish soldier in Iraq.
Gordon Gentle, 19, of the Royal Highland Fusiliers (RHF), was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra in June 2004.Gordon Gentle, 19, of the Royal Highland Fusiliers (RHF), was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra in June 2004.
Selena Lynch, assistant deputy coroner, said it was probable the bomb would not have detonated had disabling device Element B been fitted.Selena Lynch, assistant deputy coroner, said it was probable the bomb would not have detonated had disabling device Element B been fitted.
Fusilier Gentle's mother Rose, 43, from Glasgow, said justice had been done and the truth had come out.Fusilier Gentle's mother Rose, 43, from Glasgow, said justice had been done and the truth had come out.
"I fought for that," she said."I fought for that," she said.
"I said I wouldn't give up and I didn't. My son should be here today."I said I wouldn't give up and I didn't. My son should be here today.
"They have deprived me of a beautiful son and deprived two sisters of their brother."They have deprived me of a beautiful son and deprived two sisters of their brother.
We were immensely saddened at his loss ... and we deeply regret the series of events that contributed to it Ministry of Defence spokesmanWe were immensely saddened at his loss ... and we deeply regret the series of events that contributed to it Ministry of Defence spokesman
"I'm proud of Gordon but I am disgusted at the way he was treated."I'm proud of Gordon but I am disgusted at the way he was treated.
"They say when you join the Army it's a brilliant career. At the same time you should be looked after.""They say when you join the Army it's a brilliant career. At the same time you should be looked after."
Mrs Gentle said she was appalled by the way the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had behaved.Mrs Gentle said she was appalled by the way the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had behaved.
"They have lied and covered up," she told reporters. She criticised Lord Drayson, the minister who was in charge of defence procurement, for his decision to stand down on the day the inquest concluded.
Electronic counter measures (ECMs) - known as Element B - were in theatre two weeks before Fusilier Gentle's death. Lord Drayson said he was taking a "leave of absence" to take part in the 24-hour Le Mans race.
Mrs Gentle said: "He should be at his desk, not trotting off to some race.
Rose Gentle has been highly critical of the Ministry of Defence
"I think the servicemen and women are more important than him doing a motor race."
The inquest heard that electronic counter measures (ECMs) - known as Element B - were in theatre two weeks before Fusilier Gentle's death.
However, due to a communications breakdown they were fitted to RHF vehicles just hours after he died.However, due to a communications breakdown they were fitted to RHF vehicles just hours after he died.
The store in which the kits were being held was about 1km - just over half a mile - from where the RHF were stationed, at Shaibah logistics base on the edge of Basra, the inquest heard.The store in which the kits were being held was about 1km - just over half a mile - from where the RHF were stationed, at Shaibah logistics base on the edge of Basra, the inquest heard.
'Lacking clarity'
The ECMs arrived in theatre on 12 June.The ECMs arrived in theatre on 12 June.
Their intended delivery date to the units, including the RHF, was 16 June.Their intended delivery date to the units, including the RHF, was 16 June.
It was not until the evening of 28 June, hours after Fusilier Gentle's death, that RHF vehicles began to be fitted with the ECM devices.It was not until the evening of 28 June, hours after Fusilier Gentle's death, that RHF vehicles began to be fitted with the ECM devices.
Top cover
The coroner said the inquest at Oxford heard that the Army's in-theatre supply chain "appeared chaotic and lacking in clarity".The coroner said the inquest at Oxford heard that the Army's in-theatre supply chain "appeared chaotic and lacking in clarity".
Rose Gentle has always claimed the Army error caused her son's death
Ms Lynch branded the Ministry of Defence's policies for disclosure of evidence to her inquest "illogical and based on errors of law".Ms Lynch branded the Ministry of Defence's policies for disclosure of evidence to her inquest "illogical and based on errors of law".
Fusilier Gentle had volunteered for the position of top cover, looking out from the top of the vehicle.Fusilier Gentle had volunteered for the position of top cover, looking out from the top of the vehicle.
Delivering her verdict, the coroner said: "He died as a result of injuries caused by the explosion and was unlawfully killed.Delivering her verdict, the coroner said: "He died as a result of injuries caused by the explosion and was unlawfully killed.
Anger as minister steps down
"It is probable that the device would not have been detonated if the escort had been equipped with an ECM, known as Element B.""It is probable that the device would not have been detonated if the escort had been equipped with an ECM, known as Element B."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family, friends and colleagues of Fusilier Gordon Gentle at this difficult time.A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family, friends and colleagues of Fusilier Gordon Gentle at this difficult time.
"We were immensely saddened at his loss through an attack by insurgents in Basra in June 2004 and we deeply regret the series of events that contributed to it." "We were immensely saddened at his loss through an attack by insurgents in Basrah in June 2004 and we deeply regret the series of events that contributed to it."
The spokesman said that while the safety of personnel remains of paramount importance, the soldier's death resulted from a "unique combination of events".
He said: "The Ministry of Defence's internal Board of Inquiry in 2004 had similarly identified failings that contributed to this incident and made 12 recommendations, all of which were accepted and have since been implemented.
"Following an investigation by the Royal Military Police (Special Investigation Branch) into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, the independent Army Prosecuting Authority considered the case and concluded that disciplinary action was not warranted."