Ministers accused over war kit

Decision to supply enhanced body armour came late, MPs heard

Troops went to war in Iraq without the correct protection because ministers delayed ordering kit to keep Labour MPs onside, the Tories are claiming.

Tory spokesman Julian Lewis told the BBC the go-ahead to prepare for war with Iraq only came in November 2002.

This was late because ministers did not want to upset MPs who had been assured the UK wanted a diplomatic solution to the Iraq crisis, he argued.

His comments came as further cases of poorly equipped troops were revealed.

The top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence was criticised by MPs on Wednesday over why some troops in Iraq did not get enhanced body armour.

Sir Kevin Tebbit was grilled by MPs about why some troops in Iraq did not get enhanced body armour.

And Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has faced calls to resign after it emerged Sergeant Steve Roberts had been killed in Iraq days after handing his enhanced flak jacket to another unit.

They were afraid of political revolt on the back benches Julian Lewis Tory defence spokesman Black Watch 'short of vital kit'

Sir Kevin told the Commons public administration committee that defence chiefs were now moving towards making enhanced body armour standard issue for all troops.

But for the Iraq campaign, military commanders had only requested flak jackets in October 2002.

Thirty-eight thousand sets were sent to the Gulf and Sir Kevin said he was sorry they did not reach all troops.

He said the defence secretary only gave the go-ahead for full military preparations for war in 25 November.

Revolt fears

Sir Kevin said giving the green light earlier could have hindered diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iraq crisis.

But that was ridiculed by Tory frontbencher Dr Lewis.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Would it really have jeopardised diplomatic efforts to secure a peaceful solution if soldiers had been issued with body armour?

"Or would it have sent a signal to Labour backbenchers that the war was likely to go ahead?

"We think that people knew what was needed by the troops but did not make arrangements in time to give it to them because they were afraid of political revolt on the back benches.

"That is inexcusable."

New claims

Dr Lewis praised the success of the overall Iraq campaign but said the "systematic" problems were worse than other conflicts.

Fresh claims that British soldiers were sent to war without enough proper chemical and biological protection emerged on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel James Cowan, the commanding officer of Scottish regiment, the Black Watch, told The Scotsman newspaper men were left with a shortage of kit because of ministers' unwillingness to commit to war until all options had been explored.

But he stressed complaints about kit shortages should be kept in perspective against the success of the war and the amount of equipment transported to the Gulf.

In response to the new claims, the Ministry of Defence said ongoing diplomatic efforts and changing military routes into Iraq plans had often changed, as had the equipment required.

"Of course the decisions to act in military operations are taken by commanders on the ground," he said. "When they are ready, they let the Ministry of Defence know."