Coroner in troops' protection call

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David Masters spoke out after hearing how four soldiers died in Iraq when a bomb ripped through the less protected underside of their armoured vehicle.

His comments were echoed by the mother of one of the dead soldiers, who appealed to the Government for more funding to ensure troops' safety.

The four - one a close friend of Prince William - were travelling in a Warrior vehicle, which had enhanced armour-protection on the top, rear and the sides but not on the bottom, the inquest was told by Major David Austin, of the Royal Military Police.

The explosive device was buried in a road in Basra and was detonated as the Warrior passed over it.

Second Lieutenant Joanna Dyer, 24, who was at Sandhurst military academy with William, died in the blast on April 5 last year.

The other victims were: Corporal Kris O'Neill, 27, from Catterick, Yorkshire, of the Royal Army Medical Corps; Private Eleanor Dlugosz, 19, from Southampton, also of the Royal Army Medical Corps, and Kingsman Adam James Smith, 19, from Liverpool, of 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

Recording verdicts of unlawful killing, David Masters, Coroner for Wiltshire, told an inquest in Trowbridge he would be meeting with Armed Forces Minster Bob Ainsworth later this week to recommend the armour issue was dealt with speedily. He said he would "seek confirmation from the top that something was being done".

After the inquest, Cpl O'Neill's mother Valerie, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, said: "The money needs to spent on defence for the troops. This can't happen again.

"The bombs have become more and more sophisticated. I hope the Government puts more money into giving the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan the best protection."