Families Can Sue Govt Over Iraq Troop Deaths

[super jumbe]

Families of British soldiers killed fighting in Iraq can bring damages claims against the Government, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Relatives want to sue for negligence and to make claims under human rights legislation.

Supreme Court justices announced today that they can do both.

Families started legal action as a result of the deaths of a number of British soldiers following the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Their victory at the UK's highest court follows a hearing in London in February.

The decision means that claims can now proceed to trial.

The claims relate to allegations the Ministry of Defence failed to provide safe vehicles.

Some of the vehicles involved were the Snatch Land Rovers, which were accused of being vulnerable to attack by improvised explosive devices.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/families-sue-govt-over-iraq-troop-deaths-092847917.html

[bobwill]

First time I have agreed with the human rights act

[super jumbe]

Do not get me wrong but this one has made me think twice, I never thought when army is fighting a war how does the human rights comes about, when they have signed to kill and get killed the end.

[GastonJ]

I'm on both sides of the fence on this one, so I won't make my thoughts known

However I do hope that the manufacturers of the faulty equipment will be paying, rather than me as a taxpayer?

[Meat-Head]

Ok lets say it wasnt snatch land rovers that have made themselves look like a bunch of ctns. But fire exshingsers, you just ditch it and run, so what

[GastonJ]

Ok lets say it wasnt snatch land rovers that have made themselves look like a bunch of ctns. But fire exshingsers, you just ditch it and run, so what

You're misusing the 'snatch' in 'snatch landrovers' ....... or wish you were

[masur123]

This does not apply to decisions made during the heat of war and action on the battlefield, but is to do with decisions that have been made during a planning process that been proven to be negligent. It also applies to faulty equipment etc

[bobwill]

Another widow caused by bad government decisions, wanted to to put troops in to battle before all supplies had turned up.
If blame was taken right to top of government and they where took to court and charged with manslaughter, like a company
director would be this would soon stop.

Hoon must quit, says Iraq widow

Sgt Steve Roberts said the lack of equipment for troops was "a joke" The widow of a British soldier killed in Iraq after having to give his body armour to other soldiers has called on Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon to resign. Sgt Steve Roberts, shot dead in March during an attack by Iraqi dissidents, recorded an audio diary in which he called supplies to soldiers "a joke." His widow Samantha told BBC Radio Five Live her husband and other soldiers were "deeply shocked" at the lack of equipment. But Defence Minister Ivor Caplin dismissed calls for Mr Hoon's resignation over what he called the "odd glitch or shortcoming" in the provision of protective equipment to British troops in Iraq.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3397769.stm

[Meat-Head]

So do we read of storys about the fire deptment turning up at a fire and asking for a hose pipe?