A MUM whose son was killed by a bomb in Iraq today told of her “mixed emotions” over the efforts of families of deceased soldiers to sue the Government.
Relatives of personnel killed in the war have been asking for the right to sue for negligence and to make claims under human rights legislation.
Judges in the Court of Appeal and in the High Court have already considered the issues.
In October 2012, appeal judges said relatives could bring negligence claims but not under human rights legislation.
In June 2011, a High Court judge had come to the same conclusions.
Families are continuing their legal action as a result of the deaths of a number of British soldiers after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Janice Procter, mother of Private Michael Tench, who was 18 when he was killed in Iraq by an IED, believes that in specific cases, families should have the right to take action.
Michael died when the roadside bomb hit his Warrior patrol vehicle in Basra in 2007.
Janice, 51, from Concord, Washington, said: “I think when it’s proved the equipment was at fault, then the human rights of families must be taken into consideration.
“But it’s important to remember that when you sign up for the Army, you know you are going to war and there is a risk, so I have mixed emotions.
“I will never have justice for my son and that’s something I’ve had to learn to live with, although the pain of it never leaves you.
“I can only hope that the Ministry of Defence has learnt lessons from Michael’s death.”
Relatives looking to take action say the MoD failed to provide armoured vehicles or equipment which could have saved lives.
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