09/04/2008

Iraq Inquiry Rejected By Lords

Two mothers who lost their sons in the Iraq war have had their appeal into an inquiry of the legitimacy of Britain's involvement in the war quashed.

Lawyers representing the two women said that former Prime Minister Tony Blair's government failed in its duty of care to the men and women of the armed forces to ensure that the British invasion was legal and justified.

Beverley Clarke, mother of Trooper David Clarke, and Rose Gentle, mother of Fusilier Gordon Gentle, challenged a Court of Appeal ruling in 2006 that stated that the government was not under an obligation to order an independent inquiry.

Both Ms Clarke and Ms Gentle appealed the decision on the grounds of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the "right to life".

The women had also demanded an explanation into how 13 pages of "equivocal" advice from former attorney general, Lord Goldsmith was diminished to 1 page within ten days pf completely "unequivocal" advice that an invasion would be lawful.

Trooper David Clarke, died in March 2003 in "friendly fire" in the west of Basra while Fusilier Gordon Gentle died in June 2004 in a roadside bomb attack in the southern Iraqi city.

(DS/KMcA)

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