Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Soldier's mother demands Iraq withdrawal

The family's cause has been taken up by the Scottish Socialist party and the Stop the War coalition.

Family friend and Scottish Socialist party member George McNeilage claimed today that Fusilier Gordon Gentle would still be alive if a "vital" piece of equipment had been fitted on his vehicle instead of sitting in a storeroom.

The equipment, an electronic device which jams radio signals used to detonate roadside bombs, was not attached to Fusilier Gentle's vehicle when he was killed. Mr McNeilage added that his regiment was the only one in Iraq which did not have the equipment installed.

The Herald: SSP plans for alternative Holyrood opening party
THE Queen will not be invited, but she may just be able to hear the festivities from her garden.The Scottish Socialist Party unveiled its plans yesterday for a republican alternative to the royal opening of Holyrood next month, centred on the signing of a new declaration of Scottish independence.The Socialists' morning ceremony is due to take place on Calton Hill on October 9, a few hours before the official opening of the parliament building in the valley below.

The Scotsman: "SCOTTISH Socialists are planning a republican alternative to the official opening of the new Scottish Parliament by the Queen next month.
It will take place on Calton Hill, looking down on the new £431 million building, a few hours before the official ceremony on October 9.
And the focus will be the signing of a new declaration of Scottish independence.
If the weather is poor, the Scottish Socialist Party hopes to use the old Royal High School, the building originally earmarked to be the home of the parliament.
SSP leader Tommy Sheridan said: 'We believe there is a grotesque contradiction in celebrating the opening of a lavishly expensive parliament building which does not have the power to prevent Scotland being dragged into murderous wars, or to rid the country of nuclear weapons, or to open our doors to those fleeing persecution and famine.'"

BBC News Online
A protest has been held outside Greenock Prison over the detention of asylum seekers there.
Scottish Socialist MSP Frances Curran, was among the protesters. She said that the detention of asylum seekers at the jail was outrageous.
She said: "When is the penny going to drop to the Scottish Executive that people do not go on hunger strike because they are interested in getting a job or a house?
"These people are fleeing terror, they are fleeing the threat of execution, and they are fleeing torture.
"They are very vulnerable people and our society should be giving them help and support.
"We should not be slamming them in a jail cell and locking them away."