Mother of Red Cap launches High Court Action

The mother of a British military policeman killed by a mob in Iraq has launched High Court action in an attempt to force the Ministry of Defence to hold a public inquiry.

Pat Long is seeking a judicial review of Defence Secretary Philip Hammond's refusal to hold the inquiry.

Lance Corporal Tom Keys from Solihull and Corporal Russell Aston from Swadlincote in Derbyshire were part of a group of six Redcaps killed after Iraqis attacked a police station in Southern Iraq in June 2003.

An inquest into the six deaths recorded a narrative verdict of unlawful killing, and said the soldiers should have been better equipped.

Lawyers say a hearing is unlikely to take place until the autumn.