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Mother attacks PM sympathy letter Mother attacks PM sympathy letter
(20 minutes later)
Downing Street has defended the way the prime minister writes to bereaved families after a dead soldier's mother said Gordon Brown misspelled his name.Downing Street has defended the way the prime minister writes to bereaved families after a dead soldier's mother said Gordon Brown misspelled his name.
Guardsman Jamie Janes, 20, from Brighton, East Sussex, was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan in October.Guardsman Jamie Janes, 20, from Brighton, East Sussex, was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan in October.
The Sun newspaper said his mother Jacqui had described Gordon Brown's letter as a "hastily scrawled insult".The Sun newspaper said his mother Jacqui had described Gordon Brown's letter as a "hastily scrawled insult".
In a statement, Downing Street said that the prime minister "would never knowingly misspell anyone's name".In a statement, Downing Street said that the prime minister "would never knowingly misspell anyone's name".
'Half-finished''Half-finished'
Guardsman Janes, of 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Helmand province.Guardsman Janes, of 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Helmand province.
According to the Sun, his mother Jacqui was angry when she received the prime minister's letter of condolence in which he appeared to misspell Guardsman Janes's name.According to the Sun, his mother Jacqui was angry when she received the prime minister's letter of condolence in which he appeared to misspell Guardsman Janes's name.
The paper has reproduced the handwritten letter.The paper has reproduced the handwritten letter.
The reason he personally writes to every family is to acknowledge the debt of gratitude owed by the country to those who have died to protect the people of Britain Downing Street statement href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/sussex/8319883.stm">Funeral for blast death soldier The reason he personally writes to every family is to acknowledge the debt of gratitude owed by the country to those who have died to protect the people of Britain Downing Street statement href="/1/hi/england/sussex/8319883.stm">Funeral for blast death soldier
Mrs Janes told the Sun that the letter had been "scrawled so quickly I could hardly even read it" and that "some of the words were half-finished".Mrs Janes told the Sun that the letter had been "scrawled so quickly I could hardly even read it" and that "some of the words were half-finished".
She described it as "disrespectful" and an "insult" to her son.She described it as "disrespectful" and an "insult" to her son.
In a statement, Downing Street said the prime minister took a great deal of time writing to bereaved relatives.In a statement, Downing Street said the prime minister took a great deal of time writing to bereaved relatives.
It added: "The reason he personally writes to every family is to acknowledge the debt of gratitude owed by the country to those who have died to protect the people of Britain."It added: "The reason he personally writes to every family is to acknowledge the debt of gratitude owed by the country to those who have died to protect the people of Britain."
Mr Brown has previously admitted problems with his eyesight after a childhood rugby injury.Mr Brown has previously admitted problems with his eyesight after a childhood rugby injury.
Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News that Mr Brown wanted to express the "deep sense of regret that he feels" by writing personally to the families of the bereaved. Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband told the BBC: "I think anyone who sees Mrs Janes's upset will very much regret what she is feeling.
He said: "I think that the prime minister will very much regret the upset that Mrs Janes is feeling as a result of his letter." "And I'm sure the prime minister will feel that he intended to offer her some little comfort at the most difficult time for her.
"I'm sure he will be very upset himself at the upset she's feeling."