Legal Action Over Red Caps' Iraq Mob Death

By David Bowden, Defence Correspondent

The families of four Royal Military Policemen who were killed by a mob in Iraq 10 years ago are taking fresh legal action to force a public inquiry into their deaths.

Six Red Caps were killed when a 400-strong mob descended on a police station in Majar al Kabir.

The families of four of the men will bring a human rights act claim and a criminal complaint over allegations that some individuals involved acted contrary to military law.

Simon McKay, the lawyer acting for relatives, said they would not be seeking any damages or compensation.

The action follows a landmark ruling at the Supreme Court in June, which decided the Human Rights Act extended to the battlefield and commanders had a duty of care to troops even in war.

Corporals Russell Aston, 30, Simon Miller, 21, Lance Corporal Benjamin McGowan Hyde, 23, and Lance Corporal Tom Keys, 20, were killed alongside two other Royal Military Police.

The six men were ambushed outside a police station in Majar al Kabir

Inquests into their deaths heard that the soldiers stood no chance against the mob, having been issued with too little ammunition and poor communication equipment.

Mr McKay said: "The families have been seeking answers to questions for 10 years and they still haven't had them adequately answered.

"The High Court proceedings we will be issuing will be for the purpose of getting to the truth of what happened on June 24, 2003 and the reasons why."

The families are also to write to the chairman of the ongoing Al Sweady Inquiry into alleged abuse of Iraqi detainees by British soldiers, asking to be represented at the inquiry.

They believe some of the evidence being heard at the inquiry, particularly from Iraqi witnesses, may provide answers to what happened to their sons.

The other two Royal Military Police officers killed were Sergeant Simon Hamilton-Jewell, 41, from Chessington, Surrey, and Corporal Paul Long, 24, of South Shields, Tyne and Wear.

An MoD spokesman said: "Our thoughts remain with the families of those killed in this terrible incident.

"However, the circumstances have been investigated extensively and reported on and no practical purpose would be served by holding a public inquiry."

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