The family of a Kent-based soldier who died just hours after arriving in Iraq is reported to be suing the Ministry of Defence.

L Cpl Andrew Craw, 21, who was with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Canterbury's Howe Barracks, shot himself as he tried to cock a new light machine gun on the firing range in January, 2004.

The inquest into his death heard that L Cpl Craw had just three hours of sleep after arriving in Basra before the training exercise began.

The coroner gave a narrative verdict and criticised the Army for "serious failures".

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