Families of killed UK soldiers to sue Blair

May 12, 2005

" Jackie " <jackiean

Thu, 12 May 2005 12:25:12 -0000

UK Military Families Against the war

" The families of ten British soldiers who died in Iraq have launched

a bid to take Prime Minister Tony Blair to court for " lying " over

the reasons he gave for taking the country to war.

" These families are seriously concerned that their loved ones died

in circumstances where the war was illegal, " said Phil Shiner, the

lawyer representing the group Military Families Against the War

which is taking the legal action. " They are entitled to know why

their loved ones died. "

The decision to take legal action was made after reading pre-war

advice from the government's top lawyer, the Attorney General, which

raised doubts over the invasion's legality, Shiner said.

At a press conference on Tuesday, families of the dead soldiers

vowed to pursue Blair " in or out of office " . " The man is a liar. He

seems to be covering up for himself and the government, " Hamilton-Jewell, whose brother Simon was killed in June 2003, told

reporters.

" Tony Blair as far as I'm concerned did lie and sent my son to his

death unnecessarily. My son should not have been there, " said Peter

Brierley, whose son Shaun died in March 2003.

Shiner said the families were also considering private criminal

prosecutions against the Prime Minister and other members of the

government.

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