Blair 'execution' apology

Ministers today issued an apology for Tony Blair's claim that two British soldiers were "executed" by Saddam Hussein's troops. It came as the family of one of the dead men insisted their son was killed in combat.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram told a Whitehall briefing: "If there's hurt from the language used, then we regret that, clearly, and that was never the intention."

Downing Street softened its earlier line, conceding that there was no firm evidence of how the men died and adding: "No one has for a second questioned the bravery and honour of these soldiers."

The dispute with the family of Sapper Luke Allsopp, 24, who went missing after being ambushed with Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth, 36, descended into a row over Government "spin" and wartime propaganda.

The Prime Minister, standing beside President Bush yesterday, spoke of "the release of those pictures of executed British soldiers". He said the photographs provided further evidence of the "depravity" of Saddam's regime.

Later Number 10 backtracked slightly but still continued to insist: "Every piece of information we have points in the direction of these two men having been executed in a very brutal fashion."

Officials pointed to evidence including the facts that the soldiers' helmets and flak jackets were removed, and that their bodies were shown some distance from their overturned vehicle.

But Sapper Allsopp's family were horrified, pointing out that Mr Blair's statement contradicted assurances that their son died instantly in battle, given to them by the Ministry of Defence.

In Qatar, a British military spokesman at central command said TV footage of the men's bodies was of a "poor quality and doesn't provide us with the facts". The MoD said earlier today it was studying the material to try to find further clues.

Sapper Allsopp's stepfather Michael Pawsey today said his family was "disgusted and sickened" by Mr Blair's claim, adding: "Our boy died with honour. He died fighting."

He said: "Luke loved the Army. It had made him a man." And he revealed that the Prime Minister's claims had been denied by Luke's colonel and sergeant.

Mr Pawsey, 49, added: "There is no way that happened. The only way he would have been killed is in action. He loved his job and he would have died fighting. That's what he did. That's what his colonel and sergeant told us."

Mr Ingram later sought to draw a line under the row, adding: "It doesn't do to dwell or fixate on the details. There must be time for those families to grieve in peace."

And General Sir Mike Jackson, Chief of the General Staff, standing alongside the minister, said: "This is not about spin and propaganda. It's about human dignity.

Tributes were paid today to the two soldiers - both bomb-disposal experts with the Royal Engineers - who were shot dead on Sunday near the southern Iraqi town of Zubayr.

They were experienced members of 33 Engineer Regiment, based at Wimbish, Essex, and between them had served in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Kenya and Cyprus. Their commanding officer, Lt Col Anthony Troulan, said both were "highly capable and well-liked".

Sgt Cullingworth, who had been married for 10 years, leaves a widow, Allison, and two sons, James, nine, and three-year-old Jack.

Sapper Allsopp and his girlfriend had planned to set up home together on his return from the war.

Speaking at the Dagenham house where Sapper Allsopp was brought up, Mr Pawsey said the Army could not understand Mr Blair's statement. He explained: "His sergeant has been to see us four times, and I've spoken to his colonel who has also visited us.

"They expressed their disgust at the claim that Luke was executed. We will accept their word and not Mr Blair's. The last few days have been hell for us. The thought that he might have been executed has been very painful. But through it all the great consolation is that Luke died doing what he loved."

Luke's elder sister Nina, 29, also rejected the earlier talk of her brother's execution.

She said: "The colonel told us he was doing what he could to set the record straight. We are very angry.

"It makes a big difference to us knowing that he died quickly. We can't understand why people are lying about what happened. It must be a mistake. It is important to us that people know the truth." It has been an unbearable year for Mr Pawsey and Nina: in August last year Luke's mother, Christine, died of cancer at 49. Mr Pawsey said his wife had been "incredibly proud of her little soldier".

Meanwhile Mr Blair flew back to Britain today facing his toughest decision of the war so far - whether to send more British troops to reinforce coalition forces in Iraq.

Up to now he has said the UK has enough servicemen to "do the job", with about 45,000 now in the Gulf.

However, the United States today confirmed it was set to send another huge force of 120,000 more troops.

Mr Blair and President Bush are certain to have discussed troop levels during their summit at Mr Bush's Camp David retreat.

But both men have refused to go into detail about military planning.

It is thought that the US would like Britain to supply 4,000 more troops - a difficult total to achieve for the armed forces, whose personnel are on duty all over the world as well as having to provide cover at home for striking firefighters.