MPs tributes to dead British soldiers in Iraq

Hoon: Must not rush to conclusions

Coalition forces will not be deflected "by the enemies of peace" following the deaths of six British servicemen and the wounding of eight others in Iraq, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has insisted.

He said he was sure MPs would wish to join him in sending condolences to the families of those killed or injured in two separate incidents in southern Iraq.

In an emergency statement to a sombre House of Commons, Mr Hoon said British commanders were investigating the incidents, which happened 200 kilometres (125 miles) north-west of the southern city of Basra, "as a matter of urgency".

I know that the House would want to join me in sending our condolences to those families - our thoughts are with them at this dreadful time

Geoff Hoon

Conservative shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin added his party's condolences, stressing: "This is clearly a tragedy for those involved."

MPs listened in silence as Mr Hoon described how six British forces personnel were killed and eight were injured in separate incidents north of Basra where UK forces are based.

Investigations

During a state banquet in honour of the Russian President Vladimir Putin at Buckingham Palace, the Queen said the "tragic" death of the British soldiers reminded everyone of the difficulties to be faced in rebuilding Iraq.

The six, members of the Royal Military Police who were engaged in training Iraqi police, were killed near the town of Al Majar al Kabir.

In a second incident, troops from the 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment patrolling south of Al Amarah came under fire and took one casualty.

An RAF Chinook helicopter responding to the incident came under fire as it landed and seven onboard the aircraft were injured, two seriously.

They were professionals doing an important job with dedication and bravery

Charles Kennedy
Liberal Democrat leader

Mr Hoon said: "I know that the House would want to join me in sending our condolences to those families - our thoughts are with them at this dreadful time."

He said while investigations were under way into whether the incidents were linked, it was not right to speculate about the overall security in southern Iraq.

But he insisted: "Coalition forces have worked hard to secure Iraq in the aftermath of decisive combat operations, they will not be deflected in their efforts by the enemies of peace."

Honourable deaths

Earlier, Tony Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister had been informed at lunchtime about the incidents and "heard the news with great sadness".

"It goes without saying that he believes those who died have died with honour doing a very worthwhile job, serving their country with great distinction," his spokesman said.

Many Iraqis resent the presence of occupying Western troops

On Tuesday evening, Mr Blair met with Mr Hoon, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and International Development Secretary Baroness Amos to discuss the situation in Iraq.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: "I send my deepest condolences to the families of those service personnel who have been killed and injured in this ambush.

"They were professionals doing an important job with dedication and bravery.

"This event is a tragic reminder of the dangers which face British troops doing their jobs in Iraq."

UN intervention?

In the Commons, Mr Jenkin called on Mr Hoon to give British troops "all they need to conduct operations as safely as possible".

Paul Keetch, for the Liberal Democrats, said the incident showed the country could "never take the work of our armed forces for granted".

But veteran Labour MP Tam Daylell called for United Nations intervention in Iraq, warning that the "unpalatable truth" was that American and British troops in Iraq were seen as an army of occupation, rather than an army of liberation.

Mr Hoon retorted that it was important to identify who was responsible for these attacks "before reaching those kind of conclusions".

Speedy recovery

Annabelle Ewing, for the Scottish Nationalists, called for troops in Iraq to have all necessary protection.

Nigel Dodds, of the Democratic Unionist Party, added: "We in Northern Ireland are only too familiar with this type of incident, tragically, and we do wish those injured well in their recovery."

The Ministry of Defence says Tuesday's events have brought the total number of British personnel who have died since the start of the Iraq conflict to 43.

This was the second largest number to be killed in one incident.