Gulf War widow Samantha Roberts today warned Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon ahead of their showdown meeting: "This time I won't believe every word you say."

Mr Hoon has said he will meet Mrs Roberts for a second time but has so far declined to make a public apology after tank commander Sgt Steve Roberts died in March after handing over body armour to another soldier because of equipment shortages.

The House of Commons has been told that a Ministry of Defence inquiry has revealed that the armour, fitted with ceramic plates, would have stopped the bullet which killed him as he tried to quell a riot on the outskirts of Basra three days into the war in Iraq.

Mrs Roberts, of Shipley, who says an apology from the top is the first step, said: "I do not know why they can't say: 'Mrs Roberts, your husband died because of our mistakes'. They lost a man because of their cock-ups."

Mrs Roberts, who is due to meet Mr Hoon again in the New Year, says she is becoming increasingly disillusioned but is trying to keep a "level head".

When she first met him she said she believed him when he told her that 98 per cent of supplies had got through to front-line troops and lessons had been learned.

"When I first met him I did not have any comeback but we have since found out a proper protective jacket would have saved Steve's life," she said .

"When I next meet Mr Hoon I do not want to hear him say lessons have to be learned. I want to know what bloody lessons exactly. I know now I cannot just accept what he says."

Mr Hoon has agreed to meet her again but a date has not yet be finalised.

Mrs Roberts said she feels as if she is a lone voice and was surprised other families who have lost loved ones in action have not spoken out as well.

"I know other families have issues and I can't understand why they do not come forward," she said.

"In Steve's case he was alone, whereas in other cases other people died, perhaps that is why."

She also claimed witnesses in Sgt Roberts' case have still not been interviewed nine months on after his death.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the investigation was still underway into the circumstances surrounding Sgt Roberts' death.

"We will not be saying anything until the inquiries are complete," she said.