Ministry to investigate Black Watch killing

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation after Black Watch soldiers shot dead a man they believed was a suicide bomber.

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation after Black Watch soldiers shot dead a man they believed was a suicide bomber.

The man was shot as he drove his car at speed towards a checkpoint by the Euphrates river, near the Black Watch base at Camp Dogwood, a military spokesman said.

The incident, which happened on 7 November, took place after the soldiers had ordered traffic to stop around 100 yards from the checkpoint. Traffic had built up and a car in the queue suddenly pulled out and drove towards the checkpoint at speed, the spokesman said. Warning shots were fired but the car continued to accelerate.

The Royal Military Police are investigating the shooting to see if correct procedures were followed. It is believed the car had passed a sign in Arabic warning the driver not to go further or he would be fired on.