Shipley soldier's widow hits out as Tony Blair called before iraq inquiry

Samantha Roberts, the wife of Sergeant Steve Roberts, who was accidentally shot dead when UK troops opened fire during a disturbance soon after the conflict began in March 2003, said the former Prime Minister would probably “sail through unscathed” when he appears.

Mrs Roberts, who attacked the Government after it emerged Sgt Roberts, of Shipley, was not provided with enhanced body armour, said of Mr Blair’s appearance: “It really does not make any difference to me now. "What can Blair say that can possibly bring Steve back? He will be so well-briefed, so well prepared and I don’t think there’s any sort of chance he will encounter problems.”

Mrs Roberts, 39, who now lives in Battersea, south London, added: “I understand people might still want answers, but for me it’s all a bit of a waste of time. This inquiry has cost millions and millions but what difference has it made?”

John Hyde, whose 23-year-old Lance Corporal son Benjamin was killed in 2004, also said he held little hope that Mr Blair’s evidence would bring any breakthrough.

The 61-year-old, a hospital porter from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, said: “Everything that has come out of this inquiry so far has been pretty conflicting.

“I would just like to know the truth. Why did they go to war? We were told it was because Saddam had weapons of mass destruction – was it Tony Blair’s lie?”

Some families are set to be involved in demonstrations at the inquiry as Mr Blair arrives at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.

During Mr Blair’s testimony, slated to be on Friday, Brian Eno, Alexei Sayle and Miriam Margolyes will be among those reading out the names of Iraqis killed in the war, according to the Stop the War coalition.

This will be followed by speeches and performances until 1pm, when families of soldiers killed in Iraq will list the names of British service personnel who have died in the conflict.