Independent Online Edition > UK Politics > The betrayal of a soldier: Coroner in blistering attack on ministers at inquest

Independent Online Edition > UK Politics > The betrayal of a soldier: Coroner in blistering attack on ministers at inquest: "The first British soldier to die in combat in Iraq was killed by friendly fire because of the Army's 'unforgiveable and inexcusable' failure to equip him with body armour, an inquest has found.

Sgt Steven Roberts went into battle lacking 'the most basic piece of equipment', the coroner examining his death concluded. 'To send soldiers into a combat zone without the appropriate basic equipment is, in my view, unforgivable and inexcusable and represents a breach of trust that the soldiers have in those in government,' concluded Andrew Walker, Oxfordshire's assistant deputy coroner, at the end of an inquest which uncovered a litany of flaws in Britain's preparations for the 2003 Iraq invasion." Read complete post here.