Mother wins Snatch vehicle review

Susan Smith spoke to the BBC's Jon Brain outside court

The mother of a soldier killed in Iraq has won the right to a judicial review of the government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into Snatch Land Rovers.

Susan Smith, of Tamworth, Staffs, whose son Phillip Hewett, 21, died in 2005, is challenging the use of the vehicles in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But Mr Justice Mitting said the review would not cover the present and future use of the lightly armoured vehicles.

They have been criticised for offering poor protection from bomb blasts.

The High Court heard that 37 soldiers had died in Iraq and Afghanistan while using the vehicles since 2005.

The Snatch Land Rover and its alternative

However, the judge said the vehicles' present and future deployment was "unimpeachable" in the courts.

Ms Smith's son, a private in the 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment, and two other soldiers were killed in the Al Amarah region of Iraq on 16 July 2005.

Pte Hewett was driving a Snatch Land Rover when it was hit by a roadside bomb attack on three of the vehicles on patrol.

Pte Phillip Hewett was driving a Snatch Land Rover when it was hit by a bomb

Mr Justice Mitting said three issues could be investigated if a full inquiry is held:

• Should different equipment, such as the more heavily armoured Cougar Mastiff, have been procured and deployed in 2005 and 2006
• If so, could the deaths of some or all of the soldiers have been avoided
• And if so, why was that equipment not procured and deployed

Ministry of Defence lawyers had argued that a coroner's inquest held into Pte Hewett's death was adequate.

But the judge said such hearings were not able to address "systemic issues which give rise to public concern".

After the decision Ms Smith said she was "delighted".

"It is only the first stage, but I am just glad that someone is listening. It isn't just me. You have got three other families here who have lost their sons, all in similar circumstances," she said.

Damages claim

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said he accepted the court's decision.

"I am grateful for the confirmation that the decision made by my predecessor in relation to the continuing and future use of Snatch Land Rover was unimpeachable," he said.

"I will consider Mrs Smith's revised position, due at the end of July, in light of the judge's observations. It would be inappropriate to comment further while the legal process is ongoing."

Ms Smith and at least three other families are seeking damages against the MoD over Snatch vehicle military deaths in separate proceedings.

The Snatch was originally designed for use in Northern Ireland as a cheap and quick way of moving troops about.

UK ARMY SNATCH LAND ROVER AND THE RG-31 ALTERNATIVE

Name: Snatch Land Rover Defences: Armour to protect against explosions and ballistics; roadside bomb detectors Strengths: Quick land transport for up to six troops Weaknesses: Questions over level of protection offered Cost: Approximately £50,000

Name: RG-31 - made by OMC Defences: All-steel armoured hull protects against mines and small arms fire Strengths: V-shaped underside pushes blast outwards Weaknesses: Questions over mobility and maintenance Cost: Approximately £250,000

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