Gurkhas lose pension court battle Three ex-Gurkha soldiers have lost a High Court challenge to the British government over a pensions deal. Kumar Shrestha, Kamal Purja and Sambahadur Gurung said they had been treated unlawfully and unfairly. They said years of service for Gurkhas who signed up before July 2007 but retired after that date were valued at between 24% and 36% of British rates. But Mr Justice Ouseley ruled that the Ministry of Defence's pension valuation had been "justified and proportionate".

	Dozens of names left off official list of British soldiers k Ministers were last night accused of 'incompetence and insensitivity' after it was revealed that a list of war dead compiled for MPs and Her Majesty's coroner had missed out dozens of dead British soldiers. Professor Sheila Bird, who discovered the 'forgotten soldiers' during a detailed study of the military inquest system for the Medical Research Council, said the government appeared to have lost track of the actual date of death of the fatally injured soldiers. Families of troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq last night reacted with outrage amid calls for an inquiry into the 'disappeared' dead soldiers. Corroborative analysis by Tory MP Patrick Mercer of ministerial statements concerning the death toll suggest that as many as 33 dead British soldiers literally vanished from the list of fatalities awaiting inquests given to parliament by defence and justice ministers. Maureen Shearer, who waited more than 550 days for an inquest verdict into her son Richard's death in Iraq from a roadside bomb, said: 'From the MoD's point of view there might be a lot of soldiers who have died, but for anyone to just go missing is ridiculous. It's bad enough to feel that your son died for no good reason, but to feel they were not even cared about to the extent they disappeared is dreadful. I cannot imagine how it must be for parents whose sons literally disappeared in every sense.' Rose Gentle, who had to wait more than 1,150 days for a coroner's verdict into the death of her teenage son Gordon, also killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, described the news as 'disgraceful' and 'insensitive'. Sheila Bird, a vice-president of the Royal Statistical Society and scientist with the Medical Research Council, conducted the study to analyse the length of delays of military inquests. However, she discovered that the list compiled by ministers to inform parliament of the numbers of Britain's war dead awaiting inquests was 'incomplete'. She said that ministers may have lost track of personnel because of the sheer length of military inquest waiting times, or when a board of inquiry into a fatality had been convened, therefore postponing the inquest date. 'There are a variety of reasons, but it might be that ministers had not appreciated the extent of inquest waiting times and that could partly explain why these casualties went missing. But it is particularly important that when we are talking about service personnel who have given their lives for their country we get it right', said Bird, whose previous study, published in the Journal of the Royal United Services Institute, caused embarrassment for defence officials by revealing that the army was dismissing the equivalent of almost a battalion of soldiers every year for taking drugs. Details of her latest research for the Medical Research Council's statistical unit arrive in the wake of a grim week for the British army during which the death toll in Afghanistan reached 102 with five paratroopers killed. The latest two casualties, Lance Corporal James Bateman, 29, and Private Sean Doherty, 20, were shot dead last Thursday while patrolling in Helmand province. In Iraq a further 176 UK troops have died since the start of operations in 2003. Bird's study was launched last autumn when she contacted the Oxford coroner, the closest to RAF Brize Norton, where the bodies of British soldiers are repatriated, to obtain details of inquests concerning casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her report states: 'It quickly became apparent that the list of deaths which the Oxford coroner's office was working with was incomplete - not all military fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan featured on it. The time to sort this out was liable to be an undue burden on the coroner's office. Moreover, lists being tabled by ministers were likewise incomplete'. She said no blame could be attached to the Oxford coroner; instead questions of 'competence' should be directed towards those who collated figures for the government at the time. Mercer, a former army officer who has campaigned to help speed up delays concerning military inquests, said that problems may have arisen because the conflict in Iraq was the first time a British government had been responsible for granting inquests to large numbers of war dead. 'It appears to have been difficult for the government keeping day-to-day track of the numbers who have died,' he said. 'But they have a dead body, name and regiment, they know where they were killed and where the death certificate was issued. But it must be said that things have improved considerably.' A spokesman for the MoD said that problems associated with the military inquests system had now been resolved following extra funding to coroners and the introduction of a dedicated inquest unit. 'Together these have significantly reduced the time between death and inquest. Ministers attach significant importance to reducing the time taken for inquests to be heard. While efforts are made to reduce unnecessary delays, elements such as the comprehensive police investigation and the date set by the coroner are beyond the control of the MoD.' He said that, of the 278 deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, 199 inquests were now complete, with 52 in 2008 alone. By contrast, Bird's analysis of 90 military casualties between March 2003 and May 2005 found that almost half of the families involved had to wait more than 1,000 days for an inquest verdict

	Military closure plans outlined Plans to shut down 46 British military bases have been released by the Ministry of Defence. The Defence Estate Development Plan sets out the disposal of sites previously earmarked as "surplus to defence requirements". Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth said he wanted to see fewer but larger sites - on the scale of Catterick, Aldershot and Plymouth - in the UK and overseas. But he told MPs that the future of many other bases was "not fully assured". 'Clear indication' The programme sets out the UK armed forces' needs to 2030. Sites which have already been highlighted for closure include St John's Wood Barracks in London, Rhine Garrison in Germany and RAF Uxbridge. The plan outlines the MoD's intention to concentrate resources within bigger "defence communities" instead of smaller sites. Mr Ainsworth added that this approach "will deliver an estate that supports flexible, balanced forces optimised for expeditionary operations, enabling the efficient and effective generation, deployment, sustainment and recovery of military capability." The Chief Executive of Defence Estates, Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, said the plan would help give military families greater security. He added: "It gives a clear indication of our intent to manage the estate in a structured and co-ordinated way. "We aim to use the resources available to achieve the very best that we can for those who live and work within it."

	Defence spending row as chiefs spend £730 million on taxis, The row over defence spending on vehicles for troops on the frontline has been reignited after it was disclosed the MoD spent £730 million on meals, hotels and taxis for civil servants in a 12-month period. It is more than twice as much as was spent on vehicles for servicemen and women in Afghanistan and Iraq. The figures emerged two weeks after Cpl Sarah Bryant and three members of the SAS were killed when their lightly protected Snatch Land Rover was destroyed by a landmine in Afghanistan. The Snatch Land Rover was brought into service in the 1970s for those serving in Northern Ireland but critics say the vehicles do not offer enough protection for troops in Afghanistan and should be replaced. Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon, 19, died when his Snatch Land Rover was hit by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, said: "It's a national disgrace that soldiers are forced to patrol in these totally inadequate vehicles - but clearly giving a soldier the right equipment is less important than officials' comfort." Expenses for civil servants included first class train seats, business class flights and wine with meals. The latest available figures were for 2005/6 and showed expenditure of £730 million on "hotels, restaurants and transportation" with £330 million spent on "motor vehicles and parts". The MoD is now hurrying through delivery of better protected vehicles and in the next 12 months 150 heavily armoured, 19.5-ton Ridgbacks will be in use. But there are still about 100 Snatches in Afghanistan and the vehicle has been described by its critics as a "death trap". Oxfordshire coroner Andrew Walker, who has handled most military inquests, has called the lack of investment in protecting British troops a "breach of trust". Families of those who have died in Snatches are now lining up to sue the MoD under human rights laws. Papers in the case of Pte Phillip Hewett, 21, who died near Basra in July 2005, will be served within weeks. In recent days defence chiefs have ordered an emergency review of the Snatch which could lead to it being removed from service. More than 30 soldiers have been killed while patrolling in the vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. Brig Mark Carleton-Smith, the commander of British forces in Helmand, said: "It's not a vehicle of last resort but it's clearly not a vehicle of first choice

	Snatch Land Rover to be scrapped by the British Army Defence chiefs have ordered an emergency review of the Army's controversial "Snatch" Land Rover after the deaths of four soldiers in Afghanistan, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose. Commanders have been told to establish whether the vehicle, which was designed for operations in Northern Ireland almost 20 years ago, is critical to the Afghan mission. The move means the Snatch is expected to be removed from service in the near future and to be replaced by another vehicle better equipped to cope with the threat of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). More than 30 soldiers have been killed while patrolling in Snatches in both Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. While the vehicle offers passengers protection from gunfire and small mines, it is highly vulnerable to powerful IEDs The review has been launched after the deaths of Cpl Sarah Bryant, the first female soldier to die in Helmand, and three members of the SAS, who were killed when their Snatch was destroyed by a landmine two weeks ago. Details of the review were disclosed following the death of another British soldier in southern Afghanistan. The soldier, from 13 Air Assault Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, was killed when a vehicle, believed to be an open-top Wmik Land Rover, rolled over during a patrol in central Helmand on Friday. Two other soldiers were injured. The pressure on the military to scrap the Snatch Land Rover was further raised by Patrick Mercer, the Tory MP and former infantry commander, who described the vehicle as a “death trap”, during a debate in the House of Commons. The review of the Snatch’s role was ordered by Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, at a meeting of senior Army officers in London last Wednesday. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen Andrew Figgures, the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (equipment capability), and Lt Gen Nick Houghton, the Chief of Joint Operations, all agreed that the vehicle’s suitability should be reassessed. Commanders in Afghanistan will be asked if there is a requirement for a light patrol vehicle and, if so, whether the Snatch is of the standard required. If not, the military will search for something more suitable, which could take several months. The Army has about 100 Snatches in Afghanistan and they are preferred in the more benign areas of Helmand province because they appear less aggressive than heavier troop carriers. Brig Mark Carleton-Smith, the commander of British forces in Helmand, told The Sunday Telegraph that Snatch Land Rovers were not safe for use in high-risk areas. Asked if he would rather not have to use the Snatch Land Rover in Helmand, the brigadier said: “It’s not a vehicle of last resort but it’s clearly not a vehicle of first choice.” The brigadier also said that the mine which destroyed the Snatch and killed four of his soldiers had contained more than 220lb of explosives and would have defeated the armour of any but the heaviest vehicle. In the next 12 months, about 150 heavily armoured, 19.5-ton Ridgebacks will also join the fleet. But they are much less mobile than the 3.6-ton Snatch. A spokesman for the MoD said: “Through investment in Mastiff and Ridgeback we are already reducing the number of patrolling roles in which we use the Snatch.”

	British soldier killed in Afghanistan as concerns over Snatc A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the twelfth to die this month, as the Army considers replacing controversial 'Snatch' Land Rovers with better protected vehicles. The soldier, a member of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died when an improvised bomb exploded in the troubled southern Afghan province of Helmand yesterday. The soldier, who was working for NATO, died while on a security patrol with an Afghan National Army unit in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the troubled province. The announcement of Britain's 110th troop death in the country came as defence chiefs ordered a review of the Land Rovers used on many patrols amid renewed concerns they are unsafe Commanders have been told to establish whether the vehicles, which were designed for operations in Northern Ireland almost 20 years ago, are critical to the Afghan mission. The move means the Snatch is expected to be removed from service in the near future and to be replaced by another vehicle better equipped to cope with the threat of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). More than 30 soldiers have been killed while patrolling in Snatches in both Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. On Friday, a soldier from 13 Air Assault Regiment Royal Logistic Corps was killed when a vehicle, believed to be an open-top Wmik Land Rover, rolled over during a patrol in central Helmand. Two other soldiers were injured. While the Snatch vehicle offers passengers protection from gunfire and small mines, it is highly vulnerable to powerful IEDs. The review has been launched after the deaths of Cpl Sarah Bryant, the first female soldier to die in Helmand, and three members of the SAS, who were killed when their Snatch was destroyed by a landmine two weeks ago. The pressure on the military to scrap the Snatch Land Rover was further raised by Patrick Mercer, the Tory MP and former infantry commander, who described the vehicle as a "death trap", during a debate in the House of Commons. The review of the Snatch's role was ordered by Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, at a meeting of senior Army officers in London last Wednesday. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen Andrew Figgures, the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (equipment capability), and Lt Gen Nick Houghton, the Chief of Joint Operations, all agreed that the vehicle's suitability should be reassessed. Commanders in Afghanistan will be asked if there is a requirement for a light patrol vehicle and, if so, whether the Snatch is of the standard required. If not, the military will search for something more suitable, which could take several months. The Army has about 100 Snatches in Afghanistan and they are preferred in the more benign areas of Helmand province because they appear less aggressive than heavier troop carriers. A spokesman for the MoD said: "Through investment in Mastiff and Ridgeback we are already reducing the number of patrolling roles in which we use the Snatch."

	Family of soldier killed in Afghanistan want better troop pr The family of a soldier killed in a "Snatch" Land Rover by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan has called on the Government to provide better protection for British troops. Marine Gary Wright, 22, from Glasgow, died when a terrorist stepped between two Army Land Rovers and detonated explosives strapped to his body as a convoy passed through Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province. An inquest in Oxford heard on Friday that the blast fired a projectile into the face of Marine Wright who was a top cover sentry on one of four "Snatch" light armoured vehicles. The use of Snatch Land Rovers in Afghanistan and Iraq has been controversial because it offers little protection against mines. Almost one in eight of all fatalities in the two countries - 34 out of 282 - has been caused by roadside bombs targeting the Land Rovers. They included Cpl Sarah Bryant, 26, the first woman soldier to die on active service in Afghanistan. Although Marine Wright was wearing body armour, the inquest heard additional shoulder and neck collar protection was not available. The equipment arrived about 10 days after his death. The coroner Andrew Walker recorded a narrative verdict and said that even if Marine Wright had been wearing the additional clothing he would not have survived. But he criticised "defects" in the military system that resulted in the equipment not being available for six months prior to Marine Wright's death. In a joint statement afterwards, Marine Wright's parents, Ian and Rosemary Wright; his sister, Karen; and his girlfriend, Joanne Burns, said: "Gary died doing the job he loved. He was proud to serve his country and wanted to help improve the lives of the Afghan people. "Nothing could ever fill the void in our lives following Gary's tragic death but the Government must take action to protect our troops. "Although the alternative transport or body armour available would not have saved Gary, consideration must be given to what is used in dangerous areas. "Far too many of our leaders and ministers are more interested in how they can improve their personal circumstances instead of taking responsibility for their actions and decisions. "We sincerely hope that our loss as with other bereaved families will not be in vain and action will be taken immediately to give our troops the protection they need and are entitled to receive." The inquest heard that Marine Wright, of 45 Commando Royal Marines, was part of a quick reaction force which was carrying out various tasks on Oct 19 2006. Sgt Gary Ellis, who was in charge of the unit, said he was in the lead vehicle with Marine Wright acting as top cover. He said: "There was a bang and flash. I had no idea what happened." The inquest heard the attack may have been "opportunistic" and the bomber's target could have been the regional governor of Helmand Province, who was at a nearby press conference

	Nimrod Crash Families Plan To Sue MoD The families of servicemen killed when their Nimrod plane exploded in Afghanistan are planning to sue the Ministry of Defence. An RAF NimrodThe relatives of some of the 14 who were killed in the crash have begun talks with lawyers about taking a case to the courts. At an inquest last month, a coroner said a design fault had led to the plane exploding just minutes after undergoing air-to-air refuelling. Assistant deputy coroner for Oxford Andrew Walker ruled that the entire RAF fleet of Nimrod aircraft had never been airworthy and should be grounded. Graham and Trish Knight, whose son Ben, 25, died in the crash are among the families who plan to lodge an action. Mr Knight said: "Had this been a bus company and the vehicle had been unworthy then legal action would have been taken, if not by the families, then by the Crown Prosecution Service. "In our case, however, nothing seems to have been done. There have been no charges and nobody has been brought to blame for it. "I feel that the Ministry of Defence is not beyond the law." Barrister John Cooper, who is instructing the families of some of the other men who died in the crash, said: "We are certainly considering the legal ramifications of a government sending Armed Forces personnel into theatre without properly functioning equipment, and that includes aeroplanes." The Government has refused to agree with the coroner's recommendation that the entire fleet be grounded. And the MoD has said new air-to-air refuelling procedures meant the Nimrod aircraft was now "safe to fly". It has also said that compensation will be paid to the families. An MoD spokeswoman said: "The Secretary of State has directed that compensation will be paid, and claims will be handled quickly and amicably." The crash was the biggest single loss of life suffered by the military since the Falklands War.

	Taliban chief who killed Cpl Sarah is taken out by laser-gui The fanatical Taliban mastermind behind recent attacks in which six British soldiers died in Afghanistan has been killed in a missile attack by an Army Apache helicopter. In what military chiefs described as a 'deliberate and surgical strike', the 35-year-old rebel leader - known as Sadiqullah - died alongside nine fellow Taliban fighters after the Apache fired two laser-guided Hellfire missiles at their red pick-up truck and destroyed it. The rebel leader had been tracked down after weeks of secret intelligence work. His death would have been instantaneous, as the warheads of the 5ft-long missiles, which travel at 950mph, are loaded with high-explosives designed to destroy even the heaviest tank armour. The British military spokesman in Afghanistan, Lt Col Robin Matthews, said last night: 'This was a deliberate and surgical strike against a man who facilitated a number of fatal attacks on British, Nato and Afghan forces and civilians. 'It was conducted with meticulous precision and strikes a blow at the heart of the Taliban's leadership in southern Afghanistan.' The secret operation was carried out on Thursday by two Army Air Corps pilots who were ordered to fly to a dusty road ten miles northwest of the town of Kajaki, where intelligence reports had confirmed that Sadiqullah was a passenger in the pick-up truck. It is believed that his whereabouts were leaked to British forces - quite possibly by Afghans who want the violence destroying their country to end. The attack came after an intense summer campaign mounted by Sadiqullah and his Taliban fighters against British, American and Nato forces. Victims of his roadside bombs included intelligence officer Corporal Sarah Bryant, 26, the first British woman soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. She died alongside three SAS reservists. Two Paratroopers also died in Taliban ambushes last week. Sadiqullah was one of a number of key Taliban militia known as 'Sarbaz' - people who care nothing for their own lives. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of young men have been recruited by the Taliban to join their guerilla war against the Coalition-backed government of Mohammed Karzai. Sadiqullah is said to have put his life on hold - even though he was engaged - in order to fight what he saw as the western invaders. He was interviewed in 2003 and said: 'My parents insisted that I wait a while and get married, but I told them that my first and last commitment is jihad and I don't want to make any other commitments at this stage.' Taliban use swords to slit the throats of Afghan 'traitors' in public executions before thousands The rebel is thought to have often spent days travelling on foot through deserts and rugged mountain passes to avoid capture, while mounting daily hit-and-run attacks. On Friday, a Royal Logistics Corps soldier died in an accident when a vehicle he was travelling in rolled over. He is expected to be named today.

	SAS soldier was killed just days before he left Territorial One of the SAS men killed in Afghanistan had been only days away from leaving the Territorial Army so he could dedicate more time to his family. Lance Corporal Richard Larkin wanted to be at home with his wife watching his three children grow up after sacrificing years away from them while serving, friends said yesterday. But with days left of his final deployment, the 39-year-old nurse was killed with fellow SAS reservists Corporal Robert Reeve and Paul Stout and Intelligence Officer Corporal Sarah Bryan Lance Corporal Richard Larkin (left) had been only days away from leaving the TA but was killed along with Paul Stout. Their Snatch Land Rover was blown up by a Taliban bomb in Helmand Province on Tuesday. Last night as their families and friends were comforted and tributes poured in, the controversy over whether they should have been travelling in the lightly protected vehicle - a frequent target of the Taliban. Cpl Bryant, 26, was the only fulltime soldier among those killed and was said to have an outstanding future in the Army. Her family had been notified that she had been promoted to sergeant. Cpl Sarah Bryant, left, was the only full-time soldier among those killed while Corporal Robert Reeve was described as 'a pillar of strength' Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Suggit, said: 'We mourn her, we salute her and we will remember the sparkle she brought to us all.' 'I walked her down the aisle...I'll be there to meet her coffin', father's tribute to soldier Sarah SAS soldiers who died alongside first British woman to be killed in Afghanistan are named L/Cpl Larkin, the oldest of those to die, worked for the past four years as a night charge nurse at Evesham Community Hospital, Worcestershire. A friend, from 23 SAS Regiment, told how he had been looking forward to repaying his family's support by spending more time with his wife and children following the Afghan deployment. 'He had a son who is a toddler and twins a few years older and he wanted to spend time at home and see them grow up - now that won't happen,' the friend said. 'Rich loved his family and talked about them a lot, but he missed out a lot of quality time with them because of his dedication to the regiment. His family described him as 'a beloved husband, father, son and brother whose tragic and untimely death will be deeply mourned'. The family of Cpl Reeve, 28, of the Royal Signals, called him 'a dearly loved son, brother, godparent, uncle, grandson and friend, who was loving, loyal, honourable, selfless and gentle, a pillar of strength that all could turn to'. And 31-year-old Mr Stout's relatives said he was a 'wonderful son and brother and will be greatly missed by all his family and friends'. The incident took the British death toll over a bloody ten-day period to nine. The bodies are due to be flown home on Monday. Last night the row continued to rage over whether the soldiers should have been in a Snatch Land Rover, which offers no protection against the roadside bomb which has become the Taliban's main method of attack. Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said other vehicles, such as the more heavily armoured Mastiff, 'would not have been suitable for the task they were doing in the area in which they were required to work'. He said the vehicle was fitted with electronic counter-measures designed to jam mobile phone signals used to trigger improvised explosive devices. He added: 'All that I am being told by commanders on the ground is that they still need Land Rover-based platforms. . . and they will do for the foreseeable future.' But Tory defence expert Patrick Mercer, a former colonel, called for the Snatch vehicles to be withdrawn from service. He added: 'They are entirely unsuitable for operations in Afghanistan. The reason they are there is because that's all the Army has got.'

	Killer runs after guilty verdict A soldier who was 15 when he murdered a waiter in an Orkney restaurant in 1994 fled court after being found guilty. Sgt Michael Ross, 29, who became a Black Watch sniper, had denied shooting 26-year-old Shamsuddin Mahmood. As he was being led away at the High Court in Glasgow, Ross jumped out of the dock and managed to escape. He was caught by a court official and police. The victim's relatives said they were pleased with the verdict. Ross faces a life term when sentenced in next month. Michael Ross shot Shamsuddin Mahmood in 1994 His brother, Abul Shafuddin, said: "The family feel happy with the verdict and happy with the performance of the police. "Justice has been done. We are grateful to all who worked to bring the accused to trial." The jury found Ross, now of Inverness, guilty after a six-week trial. After the majority verdict, Ross ran from the courtroom through a side door used only by court personnel, pursued by police. He was stopped from escaping further by court official Gordon Morison who grabbed Ross and held onto him until police arrived seconds later, handcuffed him and took him down to the cells. Mr Morison is thought to have suffered carpet burns to his face, but was otherwise unhurt. He was later taken to trial judge Lord Hardie's chambers, where he was praised. Lord Hardie said: "Mr Morison brought the accused to the ground and was injured in the process. Mr Morison is shaken, but all right and the accused is back in custody." Michael Ross kept his murderous past secret for 14 years He told the jury: "I hope that the events of today haven't been too dramatic and too upsetting for you. I hope you are all right after that unexpected experience." Lord Hardie told the jury that counselling would be available to them if they needed it, and excused them from sitting on a jury for life. Earlier, the judge told first offender Ross: "In view of the verdict of the jury and the fact you have no previous convictions, I require a social inquiry report before sentencing you." Mr Mahmood, born in Bangladesh, was shot in the head in Kirkwall's Mumutaz restaurant in full view of a room full of diners, including families with children, by a masked gunman in June, 1994. The killing sparked one of Northern Constabulary's biggest investigations. Ross's father - police officer Eddie Ross who was called to the scene of the shooting - was later jailed for four years for trying to defeat the ends of justice. This was a callous murder of an innocent young man who was well-known and liked within the town The charge was that he withheld information from investigating officers over ammunition he found in his own home. It resembled the cartridge used to kill the waiter. The murder remained unsolved, but a breakthrough in the case came when new witness, Willie Grant, came forward. He claimed he saw who he believed may have been Michael Ross coming out of a cubicle in public toilets on the night of the shooting. He said the person he saw had a gun and was wearing a balaclava or ski mask. During the trial, the Crown claimed Ross was a racist, and this was the motivation behind the crime. One witness said he overheard Ross saying: "Blacks should be shot and have a gun put at their head." Prosecutor Brian McConnachie QC claimed there was circumstantial evidence which proved Ross's guilt. However, defence counsel Donald Findlay QC asked the jury if a boy of 15 could have committed such a calm and professional killing. The court heard that Ross had later been praised for his bravery while serving in Iraq. Northern Constabulary Det Insp Iain Smith, the officer who led the investigation team, described the shooting as a "shocking and sickening crime". He added: "There is reason to believe that this dreadful crime was racially-motivated and I would like to take this opportunity to underline the force's commitment to tackling crimes of this nature." 'Cowardly act' On Ross's former police officer father Eddie's actions, he said he believed they were those of a "father protecting his son". Area procurator fiscal for the Highland and Islands, Andrew Laing, said: "This was a callous murder of an innocent young man who was well-known and liked within the town. "This cowardly act shocked not only the local community but people throughout Scotland. "My thoughts remain with Shamsuddin's family, who I know, since 1994, have been keen to see the perpetrator of this terrible crime brought to justice." He added: "Prosecutors and officers from Northern Constabulary were determined that justice would be done in this case. Many people have worked on this investigation over the years and all will be satisfied with today's outcome. "It is also appropriate to highlight the crucial part played by members of the public in Kirkwall and elsewhere who acted in great public spirit to assist the police and the court in coming forward and providing vital information

	Forces' Afghan Base 'Can Only Grow' Camp Bastion lies deep in the Helmand desert, five square miles of British base positioned to resupply and co-ordinate an army brigade in the field. Camp Bastion in HelmandHercules transporters can land on its airstrip so en route to the forward echelons almost all the troops must pass through here. New arrivals are briefed about their quarters, their deployment and about acclimatisation. It's way over 46C in the summer months. There are issues of dehydration, heat stroke and gastrointestinal health that have to be constantly reinforced. There are jerry cans of water and bacterial handwash everywhere on the base. The army chefs work round-the-clock to keep their residents and transit visitors fed. Thousands of meals are prepared and served every day. The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) keep the vehicles on the road. Whatever the damage, clutch or explosive, there's little that can't be repaired or replaced in Bastion. Crucial to the troops patrolling on the ground are the Army Air Corps Apache helicopters. There's a squadron in Bastion, with two aircraft always on standby. With their hellfire missiles, rockets and 30mm cannon, they are constantly engaging Taliban on the ground supporting the ISAF foot patrols. The Taliban are said to loathe the Apache. At least once a week the Royal Logistics Corps run convoys out to the FOBs, the Forward Operating Bases. Medical work at Camp BastionThe columns will be 80 vehicles or more. Low loaders, trucks, container carriers with armed Land Rovers and the new Jackal vehicles riding shotgun. The journey can be 18 hours constant driving through the dusty, parched desert before the supplies of tents, water, food, ammunition, vehicles, tables, electrical wire and cement reach their destinations. The troops tend to travel from Bastion to the FOBs by helicopter. The RAF's fleet of eight ageing Chinooks gets little respite. The Apaches fly overhead to keep them safe. Bastion can only grow. Every month the campaign continues, the more upgrading takes place on the facility. It sits on a deep water table from which the Brits drink freely through the water bottling plant on the base. Every week more kit arrives - gym equipment, air conditioning, portakabins to replace tents, tarmac to replace gravel. If anything, Bastion is a symbol of commitment in this conflict.

	Soldiers can wear their uniforms with pride at gay parade, s Combat trousers and dog tags have long been in fashion at London’s annual Gay Pride parade. However, this year, for the first time, real soldiers will be allowed to wear the military uniform alongside the rainbow flags and banners. After issuing strict edicts last year forbidding army personnel from attending the parade in uniform, the Army has finally bowed to pressure to lift the ban. The move brings it in line with the more relaxed approach of the RAF and the Royal Navy, which gave approval for gay sailors to march in uniform last June. Individuals from all three Services will now be able to celebrate their profession and sexuality at the same time on July 5 without fear of facing disciplinary action. An MoD spokesman confirmed the ban had been relaxed: “Personnel from all three Services can attend this year’s gay pride march in uniform. The individual services have reached their own decisions about the wearing of uniform at the event, having given the issue due consideration. “The Armed Forces are committed to establishing a culture and climate where every individual’s contribution is respected and valued regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, religion, gender or social background.” New orders state that Service dress may be worn by members of the march. But parade paraphernalia, such as banners or whistles, are not allowed – the intended tone is military, not militant. “During the march, proper military discipline is to be maintained. Arms are to be swung above waist height throughout, eyes front, and with no acknowledgement to the public.” A defence source told The Times: “Observers at last year’s Pride were satisfied uniformed personnel can maintain the integrity of the military Services, especially with regards to respect for the dead as they pass the Cenotaph. To ensure this no uniformed personnel will attend the carnival afterwards.” The source added that the new orders were part of a wider recruitment drive. “These people have made a commitment to the military. This is our commitment to them. Gays and lesbians are already serving with honour and we are actively recruiting more.” Lieutenant-Commander Craig Jones, MBE, the most senior openly gay member of the military and lead consultant for the gay community in the Armed Forces, was among the 20 sailors in bell-bottoms who attended London Pride last year. He said: “Men and women from the Armed Forces look and behave exactly like men and women from the Armed Forces. We are the front line of the Armed Forces, not the lineup of the Village People.”Referring to last year’s march, he said: “The Forces are all about integrity and it felt good to be honest. It was a great day and the sky didn’t fall in.” General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the Army, provoked criticism last year, when he told all men and women in the Service that they could not wear anything identifying them as soldiers if they attended the march. He pointed to Queen’s Regulations which stipulate that service personnel should not appear in uniform at political events. However, his stance conflicted with that of Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, who authorised the attendance of uniformed sailors. The RAF compromised, with Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy allowing airmen to march in RAF polo shirts. Derek Munn, Stonewall’s director of public affairs, welcomed the move, saying: “This is the latest in a series of strides made by the Forces to embrace lesbian and gay people in recent years. It shows there’s no part of society that cannot tackle homophobia, if there’s a will to do so.” The Ministry of Defence issued an open apology last year to all servicemen and servicewomen who suffered persecution and discrimination before the ban on homosexuality was lifted eight years ago. Until then, men and women of the Armed Forces were dismissed if it was discovered that they were gay or lesbian.

	Gordon Brown pulls rank to stop General Sir Richard Dannatt Gordon Brown has blocked General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the army, from being promoted to lead the armed forces because of his repeated calls for better pay and conditions for servicemen, senior Whitehall sources have disclosed. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the current chief of the defence staff, will now have his tenure extended for a year, ensuring there is no vacancy for Dannatt before his retirement. Despite repeated attempts to rein him in, the general complained 10 days ago that troops fighting in Afghanistan are paid less than traffic wardens while their families in Britain are living in “appalling” housing. The criticisms forced Brown to say he would look again at forces’ pay. “It was Gordon’s decision,” said one Whitehall source. “Dannatt has made a lot of enemies among the senior reaches of the Labour party. Related Links Army chief: troops paid less than traffic wardens General deceives with traffic warden gibe Army pay: the wages of war “They want him gone sooner rather than later.” Dannatt was appointed chief of the general staff in August 2006, so his standard three-year stint in charge of the army will end in August next year. Stirrup was due to leave next April before the order came to extend his term for a year. An alternative was to promote Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy to the top post next April, but that is seen as unlikely. Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the first sea lord, has also spoken out over cuts to the navy’s ships, warning that “if [the fleet] turns into the Belgian navy, then I’m gone”, so is not seen as an option. There have been suggestions that Stirrup is fed up with inter-service bickering over the increasingly stretched defence budget and is looking for a post in industry. Ministry of Defence officials, however, want Stirrup to stay on so that all the current service chiefs have been replaced by the time he has finished his term. “By cleaning house and putting a new team under Stirrup, the PM gets a new group of senior officers who will be too busy trying to climb the greasy pole to rock the boat,” said one senior army officer. Dannatt has expressed concern that underfunding and the two continuing operations will “break the army”. Nearly 1,500 officers left in the 12 months to April, 50% more than joined. Those leaving included Lieutenant Colonel Rick Williams, commanding officer of the SAS, and Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, who had just returned from commanding 3rd battalion, the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan. They were followed by Brigadier Ed Butler, who left after being passed over for the post of director of special forces after criticism of Whitehall. Dannatt has caused problems for government from the start. Within weeks of taking over, he said that British troops needed to leave Iraq “sometime soon” because their presence was exac-erbating the situation. Although Blair publicly backed Dannatt’s comments, privately cabinet ministers were furious. “It is not his job to criticise government policy,” one said. “He needs to get back in his box and shut up. His next mistake will be his last.” Dannatt, however, continued to lobby hard for better funding for troops, whom he described as being “devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue”. Even before these comments, there were suggestions that Dannatt might be forced to retire a year early this August, but that was deemed too obvious. Recently Dannatt complained, about the poor money paid to soldiers fighting the Taliban. That forced Brown to say ministers would “do everything in our power . . . to try to reward our armed forces for the dedication and commitment they show”. He is expected to be succeeded by General Sir David Richards, the head of land command. The MoD said: “No firm decisions have been made on the end date for the chief of defence staff, so it would not be appropriate to comment.” Gordon Brown has blocked General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the army, from being promoted to lead the armed forces because of his repeated calls for better pay and conditions for servicemen, senior Whitehall sources have disclosed. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the current chief of the defence staff, will now have his tenure extended for a year, ensuring there is no vacancy for Dannatt before his retirement. Despite repeated attempts to rein him in, the general complained 10 days ago that troops fighting in Afghanistan are paid less than traffic wardens while their families in Britain are living in “appalling” housing. The criticisms forced Brown to say he would look again at forces’ pay. “It was Gordon’s decision,” said one Whitehall source. “Dannatt has made a lot of enemies among the senior reaches of the Labour party. Dannatt was appointed chief of the general staff in August 2006, so his standard three-year stint in charge of the army will end in August next year. Stirrup was due to leave next April before the order came to extend his term for a year. An alternative was to promote Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy to the top post next April, but that is seen as unlikely. Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the first sea lord, has also spoken out over cuts to the navy’s ships, warning that “if [the fleet] turns into the Belgian navy, then I’m gone”, so is not seen as an option. There have been suggestions that Stirrup is fed up with inter-service bickering over the increasingly stretched defence budget and is looking for a post in industry. Ministry of Defence officials, however, want Stirrup to stay on so that all the current service chiefs have been replaced by the time he has finished his term. “By cleaning house and putting a new team under Stirrup, the PM gets a new group of senior officers who will be too busy trying to climb the greasy pole to rock the boat,” said one senior army officer. Dannatt has expressed concern that underfunding and the two continuing operations will “break the army”. Nearly 1,500 officers left in the 12 months to April, 50% more than joined. Those leaving included Lieutenant Colonel Rick Williams, commanding officer of the SAS, and Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, who had just returned from commanding 3rd battalion, the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan. They were followed by Brigadier Ed Butler, who left after being passed over for the post of director of special forces after criticism of Whitehall. Dannatt has caused problems for government from the start. Within weeks of taking over, he said that British troops needed to leave Iraq “sometime soon” because their presence was exac-erbating the situation. Although Blair publicly backed Dannatt’s comments, privately cabinet ministers were furious. “It is not his job to criticise government policy,” one said. “He needs to get back in his box and shut up. His next mistake will be his last.” Dannatt, however, continued to lobby hard for better funding for troops, whom he described as being “devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue”. Even before these comments, there were suggestions that Dannatt might be forced to retire a year early this August, but that was deemed too obvious. Recently Dannatt complained, about the poor money paid to soldiers fighting the Taliban. That forced Brown to say ministers would “do everything in our power . . . to try to reward our armed forces for the dedication and commitment they show”. He is expected to be succeeded by General Sir David Richards, the head of land command. The MoD said: “No firm decisions have been made on the end date for the chief of defence staff, so it would not be appropriate to comment.”

	Soldier died in vehicle lacking defence system A coroner has called for a change in Army policy after a soldier fighting in Afghanistan died in an armoured vehicle that had not been fitted with electronic equipment capable of disabling roadside bombs. Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes, 20, from Droylesden, Greater Manchester, was blown 20 metres into a ditch when insurgents detonated a bomb by remote control. The vehicle in front of him was equipped with an ECM (Electronic Counter Measure) and therefore survived the attack. Guardsman Downes' mother, Sheryl, 44, told an inquest in Stockport: "In my opinion, having the ECM fitted on Tony's vehicle might have saved his life. "I cannot understand why all vehicles do not have these systems fitted. It will be preying on my mind for the rest of my life. I just do not want other family to go through what I have." Her husband, Ronnie, 60, said: "I would say that it should be fitted as standard to all vehicles because it obviously saves lives". The south Manchester coroner, John Pollard, said he would be writing to the Ministry of Defence over the issue. In recording a verdict of unlawful killing, he said: "It is my view that all vehicles used in this type of operation should be adapted to be able to carry their own ECM equipment. "If some vehicles are not so equipped, then it should be clearly understood that the order of march should be arranged to afford protection at all times to those vehicles and that the order of march should not be deviated from, save in exceptional circumstances." The inquest heard that Guardsman Downes, described by commanding officers as "resolute and steadfast", was on a six-month tour with the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. On June 9 last year he was a gunner in an armoured vehicle that was among a convoy of 10 dispatched to investigate reports of gunfire. His vehicle had not been fitted with ECM despite the fact that it was carrying more than 200 grenades. The bomb that killed him was detonated by remote control. ECM might have saved him by either jamming or scrambling the bomb's detonation mechanism. Warrant Officer Wayne Scully, who survived the blast, said: "I remember seeing greyness, then being thrown forward. I landed on my front on the ground. I remember seeing the mangled vehicle, flames and smoke." An MoD spokesman said: "Not every vehicle is provided with individual ECM equipment. Protection was, and continues to be provided, through a combination of equipment and tactics, techniques and procedures. "Guardsman Downes' vehicle was under the protection of the ECM provided by other vehicles in the patrol. Regrettably, no defence system can guarantee protection against all threats. "It is not possible to say what may or may not have happened in different circumstances

	More British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan, the Gover The Daily Telegraph has learned that reinforcements are being deployed as British forces face fierce resistance from the Taliban and doubts grow about the West's strategy in Afghanistan. Five men from the Parachute Regiment have been killed in Afghanistan this week, taking the British death toll in the country to 102. Britain has 7,800 troops in Afghanistan and Des Browne, the defence secretary, will tell MPs on Monday that at least 200 more are being deployed. The increase will take British numbers in Afghanistan above 8,000 for the first time. The reinforcement may add to fears that Britain is being sucked into an unwinnable fight in southern Afghanistan. Earlier this week, the Daily Telegraph revealed that British diplomats have warned Gordon Brown in confidential briefing documents that the Afghan drug trade and the corruption of the country's government will prolong the insurgency against UK forces. Ministers reject suggestions that the British mission lacks a clear strategy, and many British troops in Afghanistan are frustrated that their tactical victories over the Taliban are not fully appreciated in the UK. Mr Browne is expected to tell MPs on Monday that progress is being made in Afghanistan, with But he is unlikely to be able to give any indication about when British numbers in the country will start to decline, and there are signs that the mission could last for many years to come. Last month, Britain agreed to take on full command of NATO troops in southern Afghanistan for a 12 month period starting next November. Previously, command of the region rotated between NATO members every nine months. The 200-man reinforcement to be announced next week is smaller than that first recommended by an MoD review of British force levels in Afghanistan. At a cabinet sub-committee meeting in March, ministers had agreed to send as many as 450 extra troops. Patrick Mercer, a Conservative MP and former Army commander, said that ministers are only starting to realise the scale of the military challenge in Afghanistan. He said: "I think you have got to take a gentle glance at British history and Soviet history with the Afghans to know that when they start fighting, they fight. "I think there has been a corporate intake of breath at the Ministry of Defence which has been used, since the Korean War, to relatively bloodless fights. "Now we are going back to the battles our fathers and grandfathers experienced."

	Lieutenant Colonel shot by Taliban is most senior Afghanista Lieutenant Colonel David Richmond, Commanding Officer of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was leading an operation near Musa Qaleh in Helmand Province on Thursday when he was hit by a Taliban bullet. It is understood that the 41-year-old was caught "out in the open" during an engagement with enemy forces. He was airlfted straight to a field hospital. The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on how serious his injury is. But despite receiving treatment in Afghanistan, he is due to be flown back to Britain for further medical attention at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. He is the most senior army officer to be counted among casaulty lists in Afghanistan. Two years ago Wing Commander John Coxen of the RAF - whose rank was equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army - was among five service personnel killed when a Lynx helicopter crashed in Iraq. The most senior British officer to have died during the current war in Afghanistan was Major Alexis Roberts, of 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, who was killed by a roadside bomb in October last year. Maj Adam Fairrie of 5 Scots said: "The Commanding Officer has received the very best medical care following him sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg. "He will be returning to Selly Oak in due course. "His thoughts are very much with the families of the members of the Parachute Regiment who died in other incidents this week, and also with his Battalion who, along with all the coalition, are continuing to make progress in Afghanistan."

	Secret terror files left on train Police are investigating after top-secret documents containing the latest government intelligence on al-Qaeda were left on a train. The documents belonged to a "very senior" intelligence official working in the Cabinet Office. A passenger on the train from London Waterloo to Surrey spotted the envelope containing the files abandoned on a seat and handed it to the BBC. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith now faces demands for an official inquiry. Keith Vaz MP, chairman of the powerful Home Affairs select committee told the BBC: "Such confidential documents should be locked away...they should not be read on trains. There has been a security breach, the Metropolitan Police are carrying out an investigation "I will be writing to the Home Secretary to establish an inquiry into the affair." The Conservatives backed calls for an inquiry, with their security spokeswoman, Baroness Neville-Jones, describing the loss as the latest in a "long line of serious breaches of security." Home Office minister Tony McNulty told the BBC that he was awaiting the results of a police investigation into the breach. Just seven pages long but classified as "UK Top Secret", the latest government intelligence assessment on al-Qaeda is so sensitive that every document is numbered and marked "for UK/US/Canadian and Australian eyes only", according to BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner. The two reports were assessments made by the government's Joint Intelligence Committee. One, on Iraq's security forces was commissioned by the Ministry of Defence. The other, reportedly entitled 'Al-Qaeda Vulnerabilities', was commissioned jointly by the Foreign Office and the Home Office. According to reports, this document may have contained details of names of individuals or locations which might have been useful to Britain's enemies. However, it appears that in a serious breach of the rules, according to our correspondent, the papers were taken out of Whitehall by an unnamed official and left on a train on Tuesday. When a fellow passenger saw the material inside, which included a top-secret and in some places "damning" assessment of Iraq's security forces, they handed it in to the BBC. Reports suggest that the official, described as a male senior civil servant, works in the Cabinet Office's intelligence and security unit, which contributes to the work of the Joint Intelligence Committee. His work reportedly involves writing and contributing to intelligence and security assessments, and that he has the authority to take secret documents out of the Cabinet Office - so long as strict procedures are observed. He is understood to have already been interviewed, but has not been suspended from duty. Meanwhile a full-scale search for the documents had been launched by the Metropolitan Police, amid fears that such highly sensitive material could have fallen into the wrong hands. Our correspondent said that across several departments in Whitehall on Wednesday evening there is said to be "horror" that top-secret documents could have been so casually mislaid. The inquiry is likely to focus on the Cabinet office, and the security procedures that made it possible for sensitive information to be allowed out of a secure environment. A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said: "Two documents which are marked as 'secret' were left on a train and have subsequently been handed to the BBC. "There has been a security breach, the Metropolitan Police are carrying out an investigation." The spokesman declined to discuss the contents of the documents. One Whitehall source sought to play down the impact of the breach: "The embarrassment of the loss is greater than the embarrassment of the contents of the documents. "We don't believe there is a threat to any individuals in what was in these documents if they had got into the wrong hands." A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We are making inquiries in connection with the loss of documents on June 10."

	Review Of Soldier's Compensation The Government has pledged to review the compensation offered to a soldier who sustained horrific injuries during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan which killed three of his comrades. Lance Corporal Martyn Compton suffered third degree burns to 70% of his body, plus a gunshot wound to his leg, during a roadside bomb attack in Helmand Province in August 2006. He was awarded £163,000 by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) - well below the £285,000 maximum limit - but veterans minister Derek Twigg told MPs he would "look again" at L/Cpl Compton's file. L/Cpl Compton, who served with The Life Guards, Household Cavalry Regiment, was the only survivor of the attack, losing his ears and nose, and was shot in the leg as he crawled 80 metres to safety. He has since undergone intense medical treatment at the Broomfield Hospital in Essex and rehabilitation at the Defence Services Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court in Surrey. His case was raised in Parliament by former Lifeguard Hugh Robertson, Tory MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, who said the compensation payment was "inadequate recompense". He said L/Cpl Compton, from Staplehurst, Kent, appeared to have received the "lowest amount available for each of his specific injuries". Describing the soldier as a "wholly extraordinary man", he told the Westminster Hall debate: "There is a very clear case for the minister to call for the file personally and look again at this case, as quickly as possible, with a view to awarding him the maximum compensation payable." L/Cpl Compton was driving a Spartan armoured reconnaissance vehicle when it was attacked with an improvised explosive device and a rocket propelled grenade. Mr Twigg also assured the injured soldier that officials would shortly carry out an assessment for his Guaranteed Income Payment, a scheme designed to support wounded veterans for the rest of their lives

	Afghanistan: British troops feel their hard work is not appr British troops in Afghanistan are angry that the hard fighting they are doing is not fully appreciated by the public. 'We are doing our part out here defeating terrorism so it does no come back to our shores' Soldiers told the Telegraph that while American troops are welcomed home as heroes, their own sacrifices often go unacknowledged. This view is confirmed by the Ministry of Defence's private polling, which shows 48 per cent of people in Britain support the Afghan mission. While the figure has risen from 42 per cent earlier this year, work is now under way across Whitehall to improve the efforts to "sell" the conflict to the British people. "If you have nearly 8,000 people in Afghanistan, fighting and sometimes dying, you have a responsibility to do more to explain why they are there and what they are doing," a Government source said. The British death toll in Afghanistan reached 100 on Sunday with the death of three members of the Parachute Regiment. The MoD has now confirmed that British troops killed on operations or in terrorist attacks were to receive a posthumous award. Paratroopers feel that the deaths of three colleagues will mean little if the campaign is not properly valued at home. Major Adam Wilson, A Company commander in 3 Para, said: "Death is a fact of life that out here and in The Parachute Regiment we expect to take casualties. "But even though we have lost 100 men we are proud of the steps we have made and we want to get on with the job in hand. "We are doing our part out here defeating terrorism so it does no come back to our shores but I don't think people in the UK see us having a clear mission," he said. If the soldiers return home and don't feel valued "that will really hurt and make the guys question why we are here". He added that "little things" like the 10 per cent discount offered for flights with Virgin airlines, made a huge difference to soldiers feeling valued. Sgt Danny Leitch, 32, who trained two of the private soldiers killed on Sunday, realised that it was hard for civilians to understand the job troops were doing in Afghanistan. "But people can sleep easily in their beds at night in Britain - including my wife and two children - simply because of what we are doing out here," said the paratrooper. "People don't appreciate what we do back home, especially compared to America where soldiers are admired across the country. The public should pause and think for a minute that this is not an easy job to do."

	Exclusive: Victory for Daily Mirror campaign to honour our b Troops killed in action WILL be honoured with a new heroes' award. In a historic victory for the Mirror's Honour the Brave campaign, relatives will receive an emblem - possibly a silver cross - and a scroll. Campaign founder Colonel Richard Kemp said last night: "I welcome this symbol and pay tribute to the Mirror for its fight to achieve it." Our 10 month drive to win recognition for those killed or injured in action was backed by Gordon Brown, more than 330 MPs, military chiefs and families. Today Defence Secretary Des Browne will tell the Commons that Chiefs of Staff have finally agreed to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The new award for those killed in operations or by terrorist activity has been approved by the Queen. It is also likely to be handed to relatives of those killed in previous conflicts such as Northern Ireland and the Falklands War. The award is unprecedented in the UK although there is similar recognition in Canada and New Zealand. It is believed the scroll will be similar to those issued to the families of personnel killed in the two world wars and in the 1950-53 Korean War. Colonel Kemp, head of British forces in Afghanistan in 2003, said: "Servicemen and women killed on operations have made the supreme sacrifice in defence of their country. "It's right that this should be recognised in a form that will not only provide some comfort to their grieving families but can also be proudly handed down to future generations. "But while pleased at today's announcement I am deeply disappointed that the Chiefs of Staff have chosen not to afford any recognition to the brave fighting men and women seriously wounded in combat. "Those who have lost limbs, been blinded or burned, or sustained other appalling injuries also deserve recognition for their extraordinary sacrifices." Among campaign backers were Major General Sir Patrick Cordingley, who led the Desert Rats in Gulf War I, Lord Healey, John Major and Mums for Medals whose brave sons died in action. HOW OUR CAMPAIGN UNFOLDED August 8 2007: We launch the Honour the Brave campaign with Colonel Richard Kemp. September 5 2007: PM Gordon Brown backs us, saying: "It is important to honour the bravery of people who have died in the service of our country." The Mirror begins to pile pressure on with its running stories, right. November 6 2007: Early Day Motion at Commons lodged by Labour MP Kevan Jones calls for MPs to back us. Within weeks it was the most popular motion lodged and now stands at 333 - meaning most MPs back us. November 11 2007: Alliance of MPs joins campaign. Col Kemp makes stirring speech at Commons urging military chiefs "to do the right thing". Mums for Medals also join us, led by Pearl Thrumble, 44, whose son John, 21, died in Afghanistan. She tells the meeting she will soon face questions from her grandchild. She said: "Inquisitive minds will ask, 'What did Uncle John get for giving his life?' I don't want to say, 'Nothing'

	Army pays out for 'anti-Muslim bias' An Army lawyer seeking £685,000 compensation for alleged discrimination against her as a Muslim has settled with the MoD. The size of the award sought - dwarfing those paid to soldiers maimed in Afghanistan and Iraq - had angered some fellow officers. But yesterday, although the exact figure she was paid was not known, Maj Rabia Siddique was said to have accepted 'considerably less' because she had resumed her career as a civilian lawyer. An industrial tribunal in central London was due to begin hearing the case yesterday. After a day of talks, however, a confidential deal was hammered out. Afterwards, the 36-year-old said: 'I'm honoured to have served as a legal officer in the armed forces for seven years and for most of that time I enjoyed my career very much. 'I am disappointed that matters came to this but content now to be able to move on.' A letter from chief of the general staff, Sir Richard Dannatt, was given to her as part of the deal. In it, he paid tribute to the 'courageous role' the major played in Basra, Iraq, in September 2005 when she helped resolve the kidnapping of two British soldiers, who were held at the Jamiat police station before being rescued. Sir Richard said: 'The Army will consider carefully your perception of the way that you were treated in the period that followed the Jamiat incident with a view to ensuring that appropriate lessons are learnt.' Maj Siddique, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, claimed it was in Basra that her career stalled after she complained about the local Army commander. She had claimed her gender and faith played a role in that discrimination. An MoD spokesman said after the settlement: 'We can confirm that Major Siddique's claims have been resolved without admission of liability and without recourse to the employment tribunal. The terms of the agreement are confidential.'

	MoD in urgent talks to halt mass exodus of 900 South African Ministry of Defence officials are seeking "urgent talks" with their South African counterparts to prevent the potential loss of almost 900 experienced soldiers from the already overstretched British Army. Under anti-mercenary legislation due to come into force this autumn, any South African serving without permission in even an official foreign military force would be subject to five years in prison. Military sources say emergency measures to prevent a mass exodus are likely to include waiving current five-year residency rules to grant immediate UK citizenship to "Springboks" who choose to soldier on in British uniform. If individuals apply for and receive special exemption from Pretoria on the grounds that the foreign army belongs to an allied nation, they would still be banned from taking part in active combat operations or of "furthering the military interests of a party to an armed conflict". The UK has hired 880 mainly white South Africans soldiers, including a number of officers, who currently account for the equivalent of almost one and a half battalions of highly trained infantry. Many of them enlisted in the British Army after becoming disillusioned with the increasingly dilapidated state of the the South African Defence Forces. Pretoria's draft legislation, first flagged up more than a year ago, is aimed at curbing the estimated 20,000 South Africans hiring themselves out as soldiers of fortune in various Third World conflicts or volunteering for foreign armies. It follows a spate of bad publicity involving bungled mercenary coups such as the one in Equatorial Guinea three years ago in which Mark Thatcher, son of the former prime minister, was alleged to have played a role in bankrolling the plotters. Many of those involved were former members of the South African army's 32nd battalion, a hard-bitten unit containing both black and white soldiers. The new law would make it illegal for the 2500 South Africans working for private security firms in Iraq as bodyguards, convoy escorts and intelligence advisers to ply their trade

	Three soldiers from 2 PARA killed in Afghanistan on 8 June three soldiers from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment have been killed in Afghanistan yesterday, Sunday 8 June 2008. At approximately 1100 hours local time, the soldiers were on a routine foot patrol 1km west of their Forward Operating Base in the Upper Sangin Valley, when their patrol suffered a suicide explosive device. Four soldiers were injured in the attack and were evacuated to the medical facility at Camp Bastion. Sadly one soldier was pronounced dead on arrival and despite the best efforts of the medical team, two of the soldiers died as a result of their wounds. A fourth soldier is currently receiving treatment for his wounds and is expected to make a good recovery. Next of kin for all of the soldiers have been informed and have requested a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released. Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said: "It is with both a sense of deep sadness and pride that I have reflected on these most recent British deaths in Afghanistan, and as the Chief of the Defence Staff I would like to say a few words. "As you know, 100 brave and professional servicemen have now died in Afghanistan. They laid their lives down for their country and their comrades. "Every one of those deaths is a tragedy. Nothing can ever compensate for the loss felt by their loved ones and to them all I extend my deepest sympathies. "I only hope that the terrible hardship that they have been asked to bear can be eased by the