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Mother in Snatch vehicle victory Mother wins Snatch vehicle review
(about 2 hours later)
The mother of a soldier killed in Iraq has won the right to a judicial review of the government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into Snatch Land Rovers.The mother of a soldier killed in Iraq has won the right to a judicial review of the government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into Snatch Land Rovers.
Susan Smith, of Tamworth, Staffs, whose son Phillip Hewett, 21, died in 2005, is challenging the use of the vehicles in Afghanistan and Iraq.Susan Smith, of Tamworth, Staffs, whose son Phillip Hewett, 21, died in 2005, is challenging the use of the vehicles in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But Mr Justice Mitting said the review would not cover the present and future use of the lightly armoured vehicles.But Mr Justice Mitting said the review would not cover the present and future use of the lightly armoured vehicles.
They have been criticised for offering poor protection from bomb blasts.They have been criticised for offering poor protection from bomb blasts.
The High Court heard that 37 soldiers had died in Iraq and Afghanistan while using the vehicles since 2005. The Snatch Land Rover and its alternativeThe High Court heard that 37 soldiers had died in Iraq and Afghanistan while using the vehicles since 2005. The Snatch Land Rover and its alternative
However, the judge said the vehicles' present and future deployment was "unimpeachable" in the courts.However, the judge said the vehicles' present and future deployment was "unimpeachable" in the courts.
Ms Smith's son, a private in the 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment, and two other soldiers were killed in the Al Amarah region of Iraq on 16 July 2005.Ms Smith's son, a private in the 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment, and two other soldiers were killed in the Al Amarah region of Iraq on 16 July 2005.
Pte Hewett was driving a Snatch Land Rover when it was hit by a roadside bomb attack on three of the vehicles on patrol.Pte Hewett was driving a Snatch Land Rover when it was hit by a roadside bomb attack on three of the vehicles on patrol.
Mr Justice Mitting said three issues could be investigated if a full inquiry is held:Mr Justice Mitting said three issues could be investigated if a full inquiry is held:
  • Should different equipment, such as the more heavily armoured Cougar Mastiff, have been procured and deployed in 2005 and 2006
  • If so, could the deaths of some or all of the soldiers have been avoided
  • And if so, why was that equipment not procured and deployed
  • Should different equipment, such as the more heavily armoured Cougar Mastiff, have been procured and deployed in 2005 and 2006
  • If so, could the deaths of some or all of the soldiers have been avoided
  • And if so, why was that equipment not procured and deployed
Ministry of Defence lawyers had argued that a coroner's inquest held into Pte Hewett's death was adequate.Ministry of Defence lawyers had argued that a coroner's inquest held into Pte Hewett's death was adequate.
But the judge said such hearings were not able to address "systemic issues which give rise to public concern".But the judge said such hearings were not able to address "systemic issues which give rise to public concern".
After the decision Ms Smith said she was "delighted".After the decision Ms Smith said she was "delighted".
"It is only the first stage, but I am just glad that someone is listening. It isn't just me. You have got three other families here who have lost their sons, all in similar circumstances," she said."It is only the first stage, but I am just glad that someone is listening. It isn't just me. You have got three other families here who have lost their sons, all in similar circumstances," she said.
Damages claim
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said he accepted the court's decision.
"I am grateful for the confirmation that the decision made by my predecessor in relation to the continuing and future use of Snatch Land Rover was unimpeachable," he said.
"I will consider Mrs Smith's revised position, due at the end of July, in light of the judge's observations. It would be inappropriate to comment further while the legal process is ongoing."
Ms Smith and at least three other families are seeking damages against the MoD over Snatch vehicle military deaths in separate proceedings.Ms Smith and at least three other families are seeking damages against the MoD over Snatch vehicle military deaths in separate proceedings.
The Snatch was originally designed for use in Northern Ireland as a cheap and quick way of moving troops about.The Snatch was originally designed for use in Northern Ireland as a cheap and quick way of moving troops about.
UK ARMY SNATCH LAND ROVER AND THE RG-31 ALTERNATIVE Name: Snatch Land RoverDefences: Armour to protect against explosions and ballistics; roadside bomb detectorsStrengths: Quick land transport for up to six troopsWeaknesses: Questions over level of protection offeredCost: Approximately £50,000 Name: RG-31 - made by OMCDefences: All-steel armoured hull protects against mines and small arms fireStrengths: V-shaped underside pushes blast outwardsWeaknesses: Questions over mobility and maintenanceCost: Approximately £250,000UK ARMY SNATCH LAND ROVER AND THE RG-31 ALTERNATIVE Name: Snatch Land RoverDefences: Armour to protect against explosions and ballistics; roadside bomb detectorsStrengths: Quick land transport for up to six troopsWeaknesses: Questions over level of protection offeredCost: Approximately £50,000 Name: RG-31 - made by OMCDefences: All-steel armoured hull protects against mines and small arms fireStrengths: V-shaped underside pushes blast outwardsWeaknesses: Questions over mobility and maintenanceCost: Approximately £250,000
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