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The Defence Secretary has apologised to families of soldiers killed in Iraq while travelling in lightly-armoured Snatch Land Rovers , it emerged today.

Sir Michael Fallon wrote to victims relatives apologising for delays in bringing in vehicles with better protection which, he admitted, could have saved lives.

At least 37 British troops died in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan while travelling in the Land Rovers. They included driver Private Phillip Hewett, of the Staffs Regiment, who was killed in 2005, in Iraq.

The Chilcot report published last year was heavily critical of delays in replacing the vehicles.

In his letter to the families, Sir Michael wrote: I am fully aware of the struggle you have had to bring this matter to court over the last decade and I recognise this has had a significant impact on you and your family.

The Government entirely accepts the findings of Sir John Chilcot in the Iraq Inquiry in relation to Snatch Land Rovers.

I would like to express directly to you my deepest sympathies and apologise for the delay, resulting from the decisions taken at the time in bringing into service alternative protected vehicles which could have saved lives. I confirm that we have learnt lessons from this.

But a leading lawyer for families of soldiers killed in Snatch Land Rovers warned there was a real risk troops will become less safe under plans to overhaul the Armed Forces compensation scheme.

Jocelyn Cockburn said similar cases would not be brought in the future if the proposals go through, removing the Ministry of Defence from scrutiny in the courts.

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Defence Secretary apologises for Iraq Land Rovers that failed to protect soldiers from bombs - Mirror.co.uk