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Brown sorry for condolence delay Brown sorry for condolence delay
(41 minutes later)
The prime minister has apologised "unreservedly" to families for delays in sending condolence letters after they lost loved ones in Afghanistan.The prime minister has apologised "unreservedly" to families for delays in sending condolence letters after they lost loved ones in Afghanistan.
It comes after the father of Pte Jack Sadler, 21, of Exmouth, Devon, complained his letter had arrived two years after his son's 2007 death.It comes after the father of Pte Jack Sadler, 21, of Exmouth, Devon, complained his letter had arrived two years after his son's 2007 death.
Downing Street has admitted a couple more families had not received their condolence letters. Downing Street has admitted two other families were not sent letters in 2007.
Gordon Brown has asked his officials to investigate why letters were not sent. Officials are conducting a review to determine whether other letters failed to go out in 2008 and 2009.
The prime minister said it had been an "unacceptable error" for letters not to be sent and he "apologised unreservedly". He has ordered an internal review to guarantee there would be no repeat of the mistake. The prime minister said it had been an "unacceptable error" for letters not to be sent and he "apologised unreservedly".
Pte Jack Sadler was killed in Helmand Province in December 2007
"I can only apologise to those families and I want to send my heartfelt condolences to them," he said."I can only apologise to those families and I want to send my heartfelt condolences to them," he said.
"They have my profound thanks for the invaluable contribution that their loved ones had been making to make Britain safe and I understand their grief and their sadness at a time when they have lost so much.""They have my profound thanks for the invaluable contribution that their loved ones had been making to make Britain safe and I understand their grief and their sadness at a time when they have lost so much."
He has ordered an internal review to check if other letters failed to go out and ensure there will be no repeat of the mistake.
The prime minister's spokesman said: "There may well be more letters that were not sent."
Last month, Mr Brown was criticised by a bereaved parent for misspelling her son's name in a condolence letter.Last month, Mr Brown was criticised by a bereaved parent for misspelling her son's name in a condolence letter.
'Administrative mistake''Administrative mistake'
In the letter to Ian Sadler a member of Mr Brown's staff apologised for the "distress" the error had caused.In the letter to Ian Sadler a member of Mr Brown's staff apologised for the "distress" the error had caused.
Soldier's father angry at late letterSoldier's father angry at late letter
His son, Trooper Jack Sadler, of the Territorial Army, was killed on 4 December 2007 when his vehicle hit a landmine during a reconnaissance patrol checking routes for an impending operation in Helmand Province. His son, Pte Jack Sadler, of the Territorial Army, was killed on 4 December 2007 when his vehicle hit a landmine during a reconnaissance patrol checking routes for an impending operation in Helmand Province.
Mr Sadler told BBC Radio 4's The Report he had received a handwritten letter from Mr Brown on 17 November 2009, along with a typed apology from an aide to the PM.Mr Sadler told BBC Radio 4's The Report he had received a handwritten letter from Mr Brown on 17 November 2009, along with a typed apology from an aide to the PM.
"Jack was killed on 4 December 2007 and I received a letter of condolence from the prime minister with no date on it on 17 November 2009," he told The Report."Jack was killed on 4 December 2007 and I received a letter of condolence from the prime minister with no date on it on 17 November 2009," he told The Report.
"I have a letter apologising, not from the prime minister, but from Jeremy Heywood who is his permanent secretary, apologising that an administrative mistake resulted in my not receiving a letter from the prime minister."I have a letter apologising, not from the prime minister, but from Jeremy Heywood who is his permanent secretary, apologising that an administrative mistake resulted in my not receiving a letter from the prime minister.
Gordon Brown's letter of condolence to Ian SadlerEnlarge ImageGordon Brown's letter of condolence to Ian SadlerEnlarge Image
"It's not good is it? Nearly two years later and the PM hasn't apologised, just his aide.""It's not good is it? Nearly two years later and the PM hasn't apologised, just his aide."
Mr Sadler added: "It goes to show what this present administration thinks of our soldiers."Mr Sadler added: "It goes to show what this present administration thinks of our soldiers."
In his letter, Mr Heywood said: "This issue has only just been brought to the prime minister's and my own attention; and the prime minister wanted to write to you at the earliest opportunity to correct the mistake that was made."In his letter, Mr Heywood said: "This issue has only just been brought to the prime minister's and my own attention; and the prime minister wanted to write to you at the earliest opportunity to correct the mistake that was made."
He added: "Please accept my and the prime minister's apologies for the distress this may have caused and my most sincere condolences for your loss."He added: "Please accept my and the prime minister's apologies for the distress this may have caused and my most sincere condolences for your loss."
Last month Jacqui Janes criticised the prime minister for misspelling her son Jamie's name in a letter of condolence he sent her following his death.Last month Jacqui Janes criticised the prime minister for misspelling her son Jamie's name in a letter of condolence he sent her following his death.
At the time, Mr Brown said he sends a handwritten letter to every family.At the time, Mr Brown said he sends a handwritten letter to every family.
Mr Sadler, a former serviceman, has already written to the Ministry of Defence complaining about other mistakes.Mr Sadler, a former serviceman, has already written to the Ministry of Defence complaining about other mistakes.
He said the MoD had incorrectly named his unit on the medal certificate, called his son a "tropper" instead of Trooper on an official document and that they were going to put the wrong cap badge on his son's headstone.He said the MoD had incorrectly named his unit on the medal certificate, called his son a "tropper" instead of Trooper on an official document and that they were going to put the wrong cap badge on his son's headstone.
The Report is on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday, 3 December at 2000 GMT. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer after broadcast or download the podcast.The Report is on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday, 3 December at 2000 GMT. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer after broadcast or download the podcast.