Red Cap's father to take on Blair

Mr Keys says he will mount a 'serious, full-blown' campaign

The father of a Royal Military Policeman from north Wales who died in Iraq is to stand against Prime Minister Tony Blair in the general election.

Reg Keys had previously said he would contest Defence Minister Geoff Hoon's seat, but has decided to switch his attack to Mr Blair's Sedgefield base.

Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, 20, was one of six Red Caps killed on 24 June 2003 by a mob of more than 400 Iraqis.

Mr Keys announced the change after an anti-war march in London on Saturday.

'Justice'

A Ministry of Defence inquiry into the soldiers' deaths found they could not have been prevented.

However, some of the families have accused the MoD of a cover-up and have called for an independent inquiry.

Speaking about the change of target, 52-year-old Mr Keys, from Llanuwchllyn near Bala, said it was to continue the fight for "justice" for his son and the other dead men.

My full intention is to remove Tony Blair from his seat in Sedgefield and I have to believe I can do that Reg Keys

He said: "This isn't a publicity stunt, it's a serious, full-blown political campaign to take the fight to Tony Blair's doorstep.

"There will be crackpots standing as independents but I shouldn't be confused with them. I want to make him accountable for his actions in taking us to war.

"I will be travelling to Sedgefield on Monday and, unlike Tony Blair, I shall not be a candidate who only visits the constituency once in a blue moon.

"I will be touching base with constituents to find out what they think I can do for them.

"I have got to be confident about this. My full intention is to remove Tony Blair from his seat in Sedgefield and I have to believe I can do that.

"It will be a David and Goliath fight, but Goliath was a Philistine and I think that word sums up my opponent."