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I feel soldier mother's pain - PM I feel soldier mother's pain - PM
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said he "understands" the grief felt by a dead soldier's mother who accuses the prime minister of misspelling her surname. Gordon Brown has said he "understands" the grief felt by a dead soldier's mother who called his condolence letter a "hastily scrawled insult".
Jacqui Janes accused the prime minister of misspelling her surname "James" in a note about her son Jamie, 20.Jacqui Janes accused the prime minister of misspelling her surname "James" in a note about her son Jamie, 20.
But Mr Brown told his monthly press conference: "The last thing on my mind was to cause any offence."But Mr Brown told his monthly press conference: "The last thing on my mind was to cause any offence."
The prime minister said he had asked for a full report into Guardsman Janes's death.The prime minister said he had asked for a full report into Guardsman Janes's death.
Mrs Janes has called the letter she received from Mr Brown a "hastily scrawled insult". When Mr Brown telephoned Mrs Janes on Sunday, she challenged him over a shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan, the Sun, which publishes a full transcript of the conversation, reports.
When the prime minister telephoned her on Sunday, she challenged him over a shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan, the Sun, which publishes a full transcript of the conversation, reports.
'Stark human cost''Stark human cost'
Guardsman Janes, of 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was killed in an explosion in October while on foot patrol in Helmand province.Guardsman Janes, of 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was killed in an explosion in October while on foot patrol in Helmand province.
I'm a parent who understands the feelings when something goes terribly, terribly wrong Gordon BrownI'm a parent who understands the feelings when something goes terribly, terribly wrong Gordon Brown
Mr Brown, whose 10-day-old baby daughter Jennifer Jane died in 2002, told his press conference: "I'm a parent also.Mr Brown, whose 10-day-old baby daughter Jennifer Jane died in 2002, told his press conference: "I'm a parent also.
"I feel the pain of people who lose their loved ones. I understand when people are grieving that they are looking for the answers that I talked about earlier."I feel the pain of people who lose their loved ones. I understand when people are grieving that they are looking for the answers that I talked about earlier.
"I'm a parent who understands the feelings when something goes terribly, terribly wrong and I understand how long it takes to handle the grief that we have all experienced.""I'm a parent who understands the feelings when something goes terribly, terribly wrong and I understand how long it takes to handle the grief that we have all experienced."
The bodies of six other UK servicemen - five of whom were shot by a "rogue" Afghan policeman last week - are to be repatriated later on Tuesday.
Mr Brown said: "Each life lost is an irreplaceable loss for a family. It reminds us all of the stark human cost of armed conflict in the service of our society."
'One day at a time'
He also said: "I feel for the mother's grief. I understand the pain that she is going through.He also said: "I feel for the mother's grief. I understand the pain that she is going through.
"It's a terrible personal sadness and raises questions in mind about what could have been done." "It's a terrible personal sadness and raises questions in your mind about what could have been done."
'Courageous'
Mr Brown added: "When there's a personal loss as deep and immediate as she has experienced it takes time to recover.Mr Brown added: "When there's a personal loss as deep and immediate as she has experienced it takes time to recover.
"That loss can never be replaced. You have got to take it one day at a time. You have got to think of the rest of your family."That loss can never be replaced. You have got to take it one day at a time. You have got to think of the rest of your family.
"Over time comfort comes from understanding that you son has played an important part... died in such a courageous way that no-one can ever forget him." "Over time comfort comes from understanding that your son has played an important part... died in such a courageous way that no-one can ever forget him."
Mr Brown went on: "I apologised to Jacqui Janes yesterday for any mistakes that had been made.Mr Brown went on: "I apologised to Jacqui Janes yesterday for any mistakes that had been made.
"I also said to anybody whom I have written to, if my writing is difficult to read, I apologise for that.""I also said to anybody whom I have written to, if my writing is difficult to read, I apologise for that."
The bodies of six other UK servicemen - five of whom were shot by a "rogue" Afghan policeman last week - are to be repatriated later on Tuesday.
Mr Brown said: "Each life lost is an irreplaceable loss for a family. It reminds us all of the stark human cost of armed conflict in the service of our society."