Defence ministry slammed over soldier's death in Afghanistan

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - A coroner criticised the Ministry of Defence Friday over a lack of equipment for troops, as he recorded a verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest into an army officer's death in Afghanistan.

Captain James Philippson, 29, of 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, was shot dead during a firefight with the Taliban near Sangin in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, in June 2006.

"They (the soldiers) were defeated not by the terrorists but by the lack of basic equipment," said assistant coroner Andrew Walker at the end of an inquest in Oxford, southern England.

"To send soldiers into a combat zone without basic equipment is unforgivable, inexcusable, and a breach of trust between the soldiers and those who govern them."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080215/wl_uk_afp/britainafghanistandefenceinquiry