Grandfather of soldier shot dead by Basra sniper asks Blair to donate after dinner speech money to Army charity

David Godfrey's grandson Rifleman Daniel Coffey was shot through his helmet in the back of the head while on patrol in Basra in February last year.

At his inquest today Coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland gave a narrative verdict where she accepted Mr Coffey's helmet was not designed to protect against small arms fire and no helmet could do this and "be practical".

Rifleman Daniel Coffey was shot in Basra and his grandfather David Godfrey is calling for Blair to donate money from after dinner speeches

After the verdict, Mr Godfrey spoke of the "tragic loss" of his grandson.

"The world in my perspective has suddenly grown much smaller," the 62-year-old said.

"If the Government intend to put our valuable human assets at risk of death and injury in the name of freedom and democracy then they should be fully equipped to do so.

"The Armed Forces of Great Britain cannot be expected to function as a force for good unless they have proper provision and protection to do so."

Mr Godfrey, from Cullompton, Devon, called on Mr Blair to "give a small gift to charity" in return for those who have made "the ultimate sacrifice".

He said: "I challenge you sir to donate the proceeds of just one speaking engagement to one of the charities who work hard to support our wounded servicemen and women."

Rifleman Coffey, from Cullompton, died on February 27 after his four-vehicle patrol of Warrior and Bulldog armoured vehicles had been fired on near Basra.

Ballistics expert Edward Wallace earlier told the inquest that analysis of bullet fragments revealed rifling characteristics of a Nato-type weapon.

The composition of the round was consistent with American manufacture.

The inquest accepted the findings and also ruled the round was fired from a weapon which had injured six other soldiers in Basra over a five-month period.

Dr Earland, coroner for Exeter and Devon, said she had been told in a letter from Colonel Tony Farmer of the Ministry of Defence Inquests Unit that Iraqi insurgents had a number of UK SA80 and US M16 weapons but it was not known how many.

Recording her verdict, Dr Earland said: "The helmet Daniel was wearing was not designed to protect against small arms fire.

"There are no helmets that would do this and be practical.

"We are all indebted to Daniel and his comrades who have paid the ultimate price on our behalf for the preservation of the values we hold dear and the safety of others."

Rifleman Coffey, who had volunteered for a second tour of duty in Iraq, was serving with C Company of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles when he was killed while returning to base at the Shatt-al-Arab Hotel after a task mentoring Iraqi police.

He was providing "top cover" for the patrol, standing with his head and shoulders exposed outside the hatch of his armoured Bulldog vehicle while keeping watch.

Rifleman David Spence, also "top cover" in Rifleman Coffey's Bulldog, said a round was fired at their patrol when they stopped at a police station as part of the task.

Rifleman Spence said they re-boarded their vehicles under cover of smoke grenades and their Bulldog was stoned by teenagers and children.

Describing how their convoy slowed to a stop, he said: "I heard a loud crack, a high velocity shot."

He then saw that Rifleman Coffey had been shot.