A coroner criticised the Ministry of Defence for failing to supply soldiers in Afghanistan with basic equipment.
A coroner criticised the Ministry of Defence for failing to supply soldiers in Afghanistan with basic equipment.
The comments came at the end of an inquest in Oxford into the death of Captain James Philippson, 29, who died in a firefight with Taleban fighters.
The comments came at the end of an inquest in Oxford into the death of Captain James Philippson, 29, who died in a firefight with Taleban fighters.
Andrew Walker said 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery was defeated by the "lack of basic equipment."
Andrew Walker said 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery was defeated by the "lack of basic equipment."
Capt Philippson, of Hertfordshire, was the first casualty after troops were deployed in the region in June 2006.
Capt Philippson, of Hertfordshire, was the first casualty after troops were deployed in the region in June 2006.
The inquest heard how, before the incident on 11 June, 7 Para soldiers had complained repeatedly about a lack of proper equipment - chiefly standard night vision kits and weaponry.
The inquest heard how, before the incident on 11 June, 7 Para soldiers had complained repeatedly about a lack of proper equipment - chiefly standard night vision kits and weaponry.
Mr Walker, assistant coroner for Oxfordshire, said: "They (the soldiers) were defeated not by the terrorists but by the lack of basic equipment."
Mr Walker, assistant coroner for Oxfordshire, said: "They (the soldiers) were defeated not by the terrorists but by the lack of basic equipment."
He said sending troops into a combat zone without basic kit was "unforgivable and inexcusable" and "a breach of trust between the soldiers and those who govern them".
He said sending troops into a combat zone without basic kit was "unforgivable and inexcusable" and "a breach of trust between the soldiers and those who govern them".
The Treasury and the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown, will be really to blame for what happened Anthony Philippson
The Treasury and the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown, will be really to blame for what happened Anthony Philippson
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.
During the inquest Mr Walker asked Major Johnny Bristow, Capt Philippson's commanding officer, if they would have been a match for their attackers had they been supplied with Minimi machine guns and under-slung grenade launchers.
During the inquest Mr Walker asked Major Johnny Bristow, Capt Philippson's commanding officer, if they would have been a match for their attackers had they been supplied with Minimi machine guns and under-slung grenade launchers.
"It would have made a hell of a difference," Major Bristow said.
"It would have made a hell of a difference," Major Bristow said.
He said there were three or four kits between as many as 30 men.
He said there were three or four kits between as many as 30 men.
The hearing was told that the Taleban forces had multiple rocket-propelled grenade launchers and a wealth of other firepower.
The hearing was told that the Taleban forces had multiple rocket-propelled grenade launchers and a wealth of other firepower.
'Outgunned by terrorists'
'Outgunned by terrorists'
But even after his death, the much-needed equipment did not arrive, the hearing was told.
But even after his death, the much-needed equipment did not arrive, the hearing was told.
Capt Philippson's father, Anthony Philippson, said after the verdict: "He (the coroner) laid into them, particularly badly for the lack of equipment.
Capt Philippson's father, Anthony Philippson, said after the verdict: "He (the coroner) laid into them, particularly badly for the lack of equipment.
"They were outgunned by a bunch of terrorists. I do hold the Ministry of Defence (MoD) responsible for James's death but it is not just the MoD - it goes much deeper than that.
"They were outgunned by a bunch of terrorists. I do hold the Ministry of Defence (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 Treasury and the then chancellor, Gordon Brown, will be really to blame for what happened.
"It's not really the MoD who are responsible - it's that miserable, harsh, parsimonious Scotsman we now have as prime minister who starved the MoD of funds."
"It's not really the MoD who are responsible - it's that miserable, harsh, parsimonious Scotsman we now have as prime minister who starved the MoD of funds."
'Starved of cash'
'Starved of cash'
Capt Philippson was part of a quick-reaction force dispatched to assist another group of British soldiers who had come under fire after they were sent to retrieve an unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle (UAV) which had come down.
Capt Philippson was part of a quick-reaction force dispatched to assist another group of British soldiers who had come under fire after they were sent to retrieve an unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle (UAV) which had come down.
As he ran to help, Capt Philippson was hit in the temple by a bullet. Cause of death was given as a gunshot wound to the head.
As he ran to help, Capt Philippson was hit in the temple by a bullet. Cause of death was given as a gunshot wound to the head.
The troops were deployed in Afghanistan to help train soldiers from the Afghan national army with a view to them controlling the Sangin area of Helmand Province, where 7 Para were based.
The troops were deployed in Afghanistan to help train soldiers from the Afghan national army with a view to them controlling the Sangin area of Helmand Province, where 7 Para were based.
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