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Inquests backlog for UK war dead Inquests backlog for UK war dead
(about 13 hours later)
Almost 100 families of people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are awaiting inquests into the deaths of loved ones. Dozens of families of people killed in conflicts overseas are awaiting inquests into the deaths of loved ones.
The government revealed 101 deaths, including service personnel and civilians killed elsewhere, are in an Oxfordshire Coroners' Court backlog. The government revealed at least 56 inquests, including service personnel and civilians killed abroad, are in Oxfordshire Coroners' Court's backlog.
It said deaths dating back to before May 2006 would be given an inquest date before the end of the year. It also said deaths dating before May 2006 would be given an inquest date before the end of the year.
The Oxfordshire coroner handles most service deaths abroad as bodies are usually flown to a local RAF base.The Oxfordshire coroner handles most service deaths abroad as bodies are usually flown to a local RAF base.
RAF Brize Norton, in the west of the county, is used for this purpose.RAF Brize Norton, in the west of the county, is used for this purpose.
The court received more resources this year but delays remain due to new deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.The court received more resources this year but delays remain due to new deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ongoing backlog
A spokesman for the Department for Constitutional Affairs said: "There were 85 inquests still to be done before 15 May, which is when the government decided to do something about the backlog.
"There are currently 56 of these that are yet to be done, and of those six have yet to have a date listed."
The spokesman added that since May there have also been 11 deaths in Iraq and 33 in Afghanistan which would also require inquests.
However, he could not say exactly how many such procedures would be needed, as multiple deaths are sometimes dealt with by a single inquest.
In a statement, Constitutional Affairs minister Harriet Harman told the Commons: "All casualties suffered by the UK armed forces are a source of profound regret.In a statement, Constitutional Affairs minister Harriet Harman told the Commons: "All casualties suffered by the UK armed forces are a source of profound regret.
"UK service personnel have put their lives on the line to help build strong, stable and democratic nations and protect the interests of the United Kingdom and we cannot pay high enough tribute to the job they are doing, or the sacrifice some of them have made.""UK service personnel have put their lives on the line to help build strong, stable and democratic nations and protect the interests of the United Kingdom and we cannot pay high enough tribute to the job they are doing, or the sacrifice some of them have made."
She stressed that the government is "committed to assisting the families of UK service personnel who have died on operations overseas".She stressed that the government is "committed to assisting the families of UK service personnel who have died on operations overseas".
Ms Harman also said the extra help drafted in for Oxfordshire Coroners' Court would only remain until the pre-May backlog was cleared.