Compensation decision on soldier killed in Iraq due
The family of a Tamworth soldier killed in Iraq will find out on the 19th June if they can sue the government for compensation.
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Supreme Court rules families of soldiers killed in combat can sue the government
The Supreme court has ruled that families of solders killed in combat can sue the government for compensation. It has overturned an earlier ruling in favour of the MoD who were claiming immunity from human rights legislation.
The families say their men, including Private Phillip Hewett from Staffordshire, were not properly equipped or prepared for the tasks they were set . Political correspondent Alison Mackenzie reports.
'It's going to be a long fight but we have got to do it'
Relatives of the soldiers killed in Iraq said they believed they still had "a long hard fight" ahead of them after they won a fight for the right to sue, but said were ready to battle for compensation.
Pte Hewett's mother, Sue Smith, 51, of Tamworth, Staffordshire, said: "They can no longer treat soldiers as sub-human with no rights. It's been a long fight but it's absolutely brilliant. Now serving soldiers have got human rights."
She added: "What we have done here will make a difference to a lot of people."
L/Cpl Redpath's father, Colin Redpath, 57, of Hornchurch, Essex, said: "Hopefully this will help our armed forces' safety in future combat zones. The Ministry of Defence has got a duty to supply the right equipment. Now that has been established."
He added: "It's probably going to be a long hard fight from now on. But we have got to do it."
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Defence Secretary: 'Very concerned at the wider implications of this judgment'
The Defence Secretary has said that he is 'concerned about the wider implications' of the Supreme Court ruling which has allowed families of servicemen killed in Iraq to sue the Government for damages.
“Our thoughts remain with those who were injured and the families of those who sadly lost their lives. The most important priority is the protection of our troops and since this litigation started a wide range of protected vehicles including Mastiff, Ridgeback, Husky, Wolfhound, Jackal and Foxhound, have been available to commanders to match the most appropriate available vehicle to specific tasks based on the assessment of the operational risk.
"I welcome the fact that the Court has upheld the principle of the doctrine of combat immunity, albeit suggesting that it should be interpreted narrowly.
"However, I am very concerned at the wider implications of this judgment, which could ultimately make it more difficult for our troops to carry out operations and potentially throws open a wide range of military decisions to the uncertainty of litigation.
– Defence Secretary Philip Hammond"We will continue to make this point in future legal proceedings as it can't be right that troops on operations have to put the ECHR ahead of what is operationally vital to protect our national security.”
Soldiers' families 'extremely pleased' with court ruling
The lawyer representing the Challenger claimants said they are "extremely pleased" with the Supreme Court's decision to allow families to sue the Ministry of Defence.
Shubhaa Srinivasan, from law firm Leigh Day, said: "The highest court in the land has now ruled the MoD, as employer, must accept that it owes a duty of care to properly equip service personnel who go to war.
"We have constantly argued that the MoD's position is morally and legally indefensible.
"The claimants' claims have always been about decisions taken on provision of adequate equipment and training to British troops which are far removed from the battlefield.
"It seems incredible that it was often left up to soldiers themselves to buy this equipment as they felt compelled to, so as to better protect their own lives and the lives of those they were responsible for.
"The MoD argument that if they accept a duty of care it would inhibit decisions on the battlefield or undermine morale and military discipline seems to defy logic".
Legal issues behind MoD ruling
The Supreme Court justices analysed the cases against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on three central legal issues:
- If British soldiers killed during military operations abroad were within the jurisdiction of the UK for the purposes of Article 1 - which protects the right to life - of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
- Whether the MoD owed a duty to the deceased soldiers pursuant to Article 2 - which imposes a duty on authorities to protect the right to life by law - of the ECHR.
- Whether complaints of negligence are covered by the doctrine of combat immunity and whether it would be fair to impose a duty of care on the MoD.
Families' claims against the MoD can go to trial
Relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq have been fighting to sue the Ministry of Defence for negligence and make claims under human rights legislation.
The Supreme Court justices have announced that they will be able to 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.
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Families can bring compensation damages against MoD
Families of servicemen killed in Iraq have been told by the Supreme Court that the men were within the bounds UN Human Rights Act when they were killed in Iraq. This mean that all three claims brought against the Ministry of Defence will proceed to trial and can bring damages claims.
Mum of soldier killed in Iraq says MoD has duty of care
The mother of Private Phillip Hewett, 21, who was killed in Iraq in 2005 in a Snatch Rover, will find out today whether she can sue the Government for compensation.
Today the Supreme Court hands down judgement on in the case where relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq have accused the Ministry of Defence of negligence and breaches of human rights.
They say equipment such as Snatch Land Rovers and Callenger II tanks were substandard and unable to protect service personel.
Susan Smith said: "Soldiers are out there fighting for other people's freedom but are not given that duty of care.
"I think, as an employer [the MoD] owe their employees the same care as everyone else."
Read more: Fight for MoD compensation
Decision due on whether parents of soldier killed in Iraq can sue the government
The mother of a Tamworth soldier killed in Iraq will find out from the Supreme Court today whether she can sue the government for compensation.
Twenty one year-old Private Phillip Hewett died in two thousand and five after a Snatch Land Rover was blown up.
Susan Smith believes the Ministry of Defence breached her son's human rights and were negligent by not providing a suitably armoured vehicle to protect him.
The European Convention on Human Rights gives everyone a right to life. But the MoD argues that it should not apply to soldiers in war.
Today the Supreme Court will decide who is right the MoD or Susan.
Three central legal issues considered over Iraq claims
The Supreme Court analysed three central legal issues:
- Whether British soldiers killed during military operations abroad were within the jurisdiction of the UK for the purposes of Article 1 - which protects the right to life - of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
- Whether the MoD owed a duty to the deceased soldiers pursuant to Article 2 - which imposes a duty on authorities to protect the right to life by law - of the ECHR.
- Whether complaints of negligence are covered by the doctrine of combat immunity and whether it would be fair to impose a duty of care on the MoD.
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