THE families of soldiers murdered in Iraq are demanding a fresh inquest is held into their deaths because new evidence has emerged.

The relatives of Corporals Simon Miller and Russell Aston and Lance Corporals Benjamin Hyde and Thomas Keys have written to the Attorney General, seeking a new investigation into their deaths.

The four Red Caps, who were based at Colchester Garrison, were killed alongside two other Royal Military Policemen near Basra in June 2003 when they were set upon by Iraqis outside a police station.

The families are also calling for the initial inquest verdict of unlawful killing to be quashed.

During that inquest, it was ruled that the troops were killed between 10.30am and 11am on June 24, 2003.

But John Hyde, father of LCpl Hyde, said new evidence from Iraqis at the scene proves the men were alive past 11am and could even have survived until 12pm, which means something could have been done to save them.

He added: “Standing orders state soldiers should carry a mobile phone and 150 rounds of ammunition.

“These boys had no phone and 50 rounds of ammunition.

“Our hope is by having a fresh inquest, a lot of information which was not considered admissible in the first inquest will be heard, that includes information the Army doesn’t want brough into the public domain.”

A Ministry of Defence statement said: ‘Our thoughts are with the families of those killed in this tragic incident.

‘We remain committed to keeping the families informed of any progress in this case.

‘It is not for the MoD to question the findings of the coroner’s inquest.”