Hoon admits he may be forced to resign

[Khephra]

Hoon admits he may be forced to resign
By Jean Eaglesham, Political Correspondent
Published: January 16 2004 20:27 | Last Updated: January 16 2004 20:27


Geoff Hoon on Friday admitted he could be forced to resign following the impending Hutton report and an investigation into claims that equipment shortages caused the death of a British soldier.

The defence secretary said he would decide his future "in the light of whatever is said" by both inquiries.

Mr Hoon toured radio and TV studios in an attempt to limit the political damage caused by a furore over Sergeant Steven Roberts, a tank commander killed in the Iraq war after he had been ordered to hand back his flak jacket. His widow, Samantha Roberts, accused Mr Hoon of having "blood on his hands" and called for him to resign.

Mr Hoon on Friday apologised for Sergeant Roberts' death and the fact he had been denied the correct equipment. "Some 38,000 sets of enhanced body armour were sent to theatre. We wanted him to have that equipment, I'm extremely sorry he did not have it," Mr Hoon told the BBC Today programme.

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[wryter2000]

1. To our British DUers

What would Hoon's resignation mean to Blair?

[Cha]

2. Gawd! That is sickening ...I can only imagine

what Sargeant Steven Roberts' widow Samantha is going through!

[Betty]

3. One thing different form here.....

No one in the US would EVER take responsibilty and admit they may have to resign. Not with this administration.

[harper]

4. Further more

If the same set of circumstances had led to the death of an American solder, the American press would NEVER let the widow's charges become a big story. We might see a little paragraph on about it on the last page of the paper, but never on the front page.

[AndyTiedye]

5. They Were Making Our Soldiers Buy Their Own Flak Jackets

or do without

[rooboy]

6. Hoon's smirk is more disgusting than chimpy's...

and I can't believe he still holds a cabinet position. He's a completely heartless prick.

[daleo]

7. If Hoon goes down, would Rummy have to walk the plank for BFEE?

The stuff about the body armor seems like a distraction. That way, if Hoon walks the plank it would seem like it was over the relatively micro issue of equipment and logistics rather than the macro issue of right and wrong.

[rooboy]

8. Hoon should have walked when David Kelly died...

he handled that with absolutely no sympathy whatsoever. In fact, I seem to recall that he went on vacation when Kelly's funeral was held. Two days after Kelly died, Hoon decided to have a day out at the British Grand Prix.

Not a popular chap.

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. Buff Hoon

Stupid ass has lasted waaaaay too long. But somehow he will probably stay right there to frustrate anybody with a thinking brain.