John Healey Announces Ministry Of Defence Death in Iraq

A British Army soldier died in a training accident in northern Iraq on Sunday, the ministry of defence said. Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons on Monday that the family had been informed and had asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

“With deep regret I should inform the House that a training accident occurred in northern Iraq yesterday in which a service personnel from the British Army has died,” Healey said. He added: “The family have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.”

House of Commons Statement

Healey made the announcement on Monday in the House of Commons, placing the death on the public record after the Sunday incident. He also said: “I know that's the thoughts of the house will be with the family and with the unit at this desperately sad time.”

The family’s request for a period of grace leaves the release of further details on hold for now. The announcement did not include the soldier’s name, rank, unit, or the circumstances of the training accident.

Northern Iraq Incident

The only details made public were the location, the timing, and the fact that the death happened during training. That leaves the immediate focus on the family, the soldier’s unit, and the next official update that follows the request for privacy.

For now, the ministry of defence has put the death before Parliament, and the House of Commons has been told the family has already been informed. Further information is being held back while that request for a period of grace remains in place.