Sue has expressed her thanks to me for my help on the Snatch Land Rover Link, but no thanks are necessary, I do want to say to her how proud I am of her and her determination and effort over the last five years in keeping the pressure on regarding this vehicle.

She has fought very hard to get people to listen to her regarding the use of the Snatch Land Rover in which her son Phillip was driving when he and his two pals were killed in 2005. She knew then that it wasn't right that they were using it and stated this straight away. The issue of the vehicle was never addressed at Phillip's inquest, an inquest that lasted just three hours, when she got not satisfaction from that it made her all the more determined. She then went to a Solicitor for advice and then managed to arrange for her and some of the other families of soldiers killed in Snatch Land Rovers to meet up with Des Brown, to discuss this issue.

After being refused legal aid, Telegraph readers came to her assistance and helped raise £5,000 to help fund her attempt at getting a public inquiry into the use of the vehicle.

She set up a petition regarding the use of the vehicle and asked for an independent public inquiry into the use of the snatch.

She went to court and won when it was announced that a partial investigation into the use of the vehicle could take place. Later she was told that it would be looked into at the Iraq inquiry. When she met up with the members of the Iraq Inquiry they did not seem to know about this remit. Her Solicitor sent the Iraq Inquiry very full and detailed correspondence.   Sue has attended the Inquiry when both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown gave their evidence, she was also there again yesterday when the subject of defence equipment capability was raised.

Too many soldiers continued to lose their lives in this unsuitable vehicle, even up until 2008 lives were still being lost. I believe we have a lot to thank Sue for, especially her determination in keeping this matter high profile and not giving up, you have shown great fortitude and strength Sue, well done. I for one am very proud of you and I also think a thank you should be paid to Richard North who also kept up the pressure and questions regarding the Snatch Land Rover.

Phillip would be very proud of you, God bless him, this determined fight and success in stopping using the vehicle is yours and his legacy.

    
    

Edited by Elaine - 28 Jul 2010 at 7:13pm