'Deaths will not deter us'

Tony Blair and military chiefs today joined forces to vow that the tragic deaths of three Black Watch soldiers would not deter British troops from their "heroic" mission in Iraq.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the families of those who died but insisted that their work had been of vital importance in bringing stability to the country.

His remarks were echoed by Black Watch commander Lt-Col James Cowan, who said the regiment would not be deflected from carrying out its duty.

Speaking in Brussels alongside Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi, Mr Blair said that the operation by the British armed forces was "of crucial importance" to making sure elections were held in January. "[The election] is the single most important element of bringing stability to Iraq and therefore stability to the wider Middle East," he said.

A drawn-looking Mr Blair said the purpose of terrorists was to disrupt democratic progress in Iraq. "Our purpose and resolve has to be equally firm to make sure those elections go ahead."

Lt Col Cowan, speaking at the battlegroup's-base Camp Dogwood, said of the deaths: "For a close-knit family such as the Black Watch this is indeed a painful blow, and all three of these soldiers were our friends.

"But as we mourn their deaths, so we remember their lives and give thanks for their contribution to our regiment.

"We will miss them all, as brothers in arms and we extend our love to their families in Warminster, Scotland, to their cousins and brothers serving in the battalion here.

"The whole of the Black Watch is saddened by this loss. But while we feel this blow most keenly we are the Black Watch, and we will not be deterred from seeing our task through."The bodies of the dead men were due to be flown to Basra airport later today for a repatriation ceremony before being returned to the UK and their families next week.

Mr Allawi voiced his own appreciation for the sacrifices made by British troops in his country. He added: "We pay our condolences to the three brave British soldiers who died.

"This is a sign that civilised nations are behind us and we are going to win our war on terrorism, move the democratic process forward and get the elections next January successfully."

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon today defended the controversial Army reorganisation which campaigners claim will spell the end for several historic regiments such as the Black Watch.

Interviewed by BBC Radio Scotland, he acknowledged anger at the uncertainty over the regiment's future, but he insisted that the reorganisation proposals came from the Army and affected all of Britain's single-battalion regiments. The aim is to look at this in terms of ensuring the strong tradition of the Black Watch and the other single-battalion regiments, and to look hard at whether the current organisation serves those risking their lives on behalf of this country," he said.

Mr Kennard was one a group of artists, including Tracey Emin and Ralph Steadman, to donate work to be auctioned for the Mayor's campaign.

Bob Neill, Tory group leader of the London Assembly, said: "An artist sells his work to fund the Mayor's re-election campaign. Four months later, the same artist holds an exhibition in City Hall. This is political patronage of the worst kind."