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MoD criticised for soldier deaths MoD criticised for soldier deaths
(10 minutes later)
Two coroners have criticised the government for the deaths of three soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.Two coroners have criticised the government for the deaths of three soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Separate inquests heard how troopers in Iraq and Afghanistan were denied "mission essential" equipment. Separate inquests heard how troops were denied "mission essential" equipment.
Oxford assistant coroner Andrew Walker, accused the MoD of an unforgivable breach of trust over the death of Capt James Philippson in Helmand Province.Oxford assistant coroner Andrew Walker, accused the MoD of an unforgivable breach of trust over the death of Capt James Philippson in Helmand Province.
Wiltshire coroner David Masters called for a review of armed forces spending over the deaths of two others in Iraq. Meanwhile Wiltshire coroner David Masters called for a review of armed forces funding after the deaths of two soldiers in Iraq.
Capt Philippson, 29, of 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, died in a fire fight with Taliban troops on June 11 2006 in which British forces were "totally out-gunned".Capt Philippson, 29, of 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, died in a fire fight with Taliban troops on June 11 2006 in which British forces were "totally out-gunned".
The Oxford inquest heard that before his death 7 Para soldiers complained repeatedly about a lack of proper equipment - chiefly standard night vision kits and weaponry. The Oxford inquest heard that before his death soldiers complained repeatedly about a lack of proper equipment - chiefly standard night vision kits and weaponry.
To send soldiers into a combat zone without basic equipment is unforgivable, inexcusable and a breach of trust between the soldiers and those who govern them. Assistant coroner Andrew Walker Coroner's criticismsDangers of kit shortages To send soldiers into a combat zone without basic equipment is unforgivable, inexcusable and a breach of trust Assistant coroner Andrew Walker Coroner's criticismsDangers of kit shortages
The MoD admitted an "administrative error" led to a 25-day delay in getting equipment to the front line.The MoD admitted an "administrative error" led to a 25-day delay in getting equipment to the front line.
Mr Walker said: "They (the soldiers) were defeated not by the terrorists but by the lack of basic equipment.Mr Walker said: "They (the soldiers) were defeated not by the terrorists but by the lack of basic equipment.
"To send soldiers into a combat zone without basic equipment is unforgivable, inexcusable and a breach of trust between the soldiers and those who govern them.""To send soldiers into a combat zone without basic equipment is unforgivable, inexcusable and a breach of trust between the soldiers and those who govern them."
He recorded a narrative verdict in which he said Capt Philippson was unlawfully killed.He recorded a narrative verdict in which he said Capt Philippson was unlawfully killed.
The soldier's father, Anthony Philippson, of St Albans, Herts, said after the inquest: "He (the coroner) laid into them (the MoD) particularly badly for the lack of equipment.The soldier's father, Anthony Philippson, of St Albans, Herts, said after the inquest: "He (the coroner) laid into them (the MoD) particularly badly for the lack of equipment.
"I do hold the MoD responsible for James's death but it is not just the MoD, it goes much deeper than that."I do hold the MoD responsible for James's death but it is not just the MoD, it goes much deeper than that.
"The Treasury and the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown, will be really to blame for what happened. The MoD was starved of cash by the Chancellor.""The Treasury and the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown, will be really to blame for what happened. The MoD was starved of cash by the Chancellor."
Coroner 'concerned'Coroner 'concerned'
The second inquest in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, heard that a platoon commander had asked for Mastiffs - more heavily protected vehicles - to be used on the day the two men died, but they were all in use on another mission.The second inquest in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, heard that a platoon commander had asked for Mastiffs - more heavily protected vehicles - to be used on the day the two men died, but they were all in use on another mission.
Lance Sergeant Chris Casey, 27, and Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath, 22, of 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, were escorting a supply convoy between Kuwait and Basra when they were hit by a home-made explosive.Lance Sergeant Chris Casey, 27, and Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath, 22, of 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, were escorting a supply convoy between Kuwait and Basra when they were hit by a home-made explosive.
It was under funding by the Government that killed him Sharon Hawkes, Kirk Redpath's partner L/Sgt Casey, a married father of two from Aldershot, and his younger comrade, from Romford, died after their Snatch Armoured Land Rover was hit north of the Rumaylah oilfields.It was under funding by the Government that killed him Sharon Hawkes, Kirk Redpath's partner L/Sgt Casey, a married father of two from Aldershot, and his younger comrade, from Romford, died after their Snatch Armoured Land Rover was hit north of the Rumaylah oilfields.
Recording verdicts that both men were unlawfully killed by terrorists, the coroner said he had "concerns" they had not been supplied with Mastiffs.Recording verdicts that both men were unlawfully killed by terrorists, the coroner said he had "concerns" they had not been supplied with Mastiffs.
Mr Masters went on: "It is my belief that it is imperative that our forces, whether they be in Iraq or Afghanistan, are given the best available equipment."Mr Masters went on: "It is my belief that it is imperative that our forces, whether they be in Iraq or Afghanistan, are given the best available equipment."
"I have a meeting next week with the armed forces minister and this is an issue I intend to raise with him."I have a meeting next week with the armed forces minister and this is an issue I intend to raise with him.
"I need to be satisfied that this is an issue that has been understood and dealt with, because I anticipate it is still relevant and will be in Afghanistan as well.""I need to be satisfied that this is an issue that has been understood and dealt with, because I anticipate it is still relevant and will be in Afghanistan as well."
After the inquest Mr Redpath's partner, Sharon Hawkes, 50, said: "It was under funding by the Government that killed him."After the inquest Mr Redpath's partner, Sharon Hawkes, 50, said: "It was under funding by the Government that killed him."