Blair "coward" for refusing meeting with families

thisislondon: Families of British service personnel killed during the conflict in Iraq have described Prime Minister Tony Blair as a "coward" for refusing to meet them to discuss their campaign for troops to be withdrawn.

Several families handed in a letter at 10 Downing Street calling on Mr Blair to meet them.

They said that the deaths of two British soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment on Tuesday meant that more families would be enduring "agony".

"A meeting might give you pause for thought and to reconsider. It is time for you to take us and our views seriously. We believe we speak for the majority in this country in our desire to bring the troops home," the letter said.

The Prime Minister was at the House of Commons when the families walked up Downing Street to deliver the letter.

Roger Bacon, father of Major Matthew Bacon, 34, who died last September, said he wanted the Prime Minister to explain why Britain was involved in the original conflict and why troops remained.

"I don't think we should have been involved. We want him to tell us why our sons have been killed. He has not bothered to visit those wounded in Iraq and he has had as little as possible to do with troops killed or injured. It is a very sad situation that he feels unable to meet us." Read more