Soldiers seek to back up pictures

THE two soldiers who supplied the photographs to the Daily Mirror have sought to refute accusations that they were fakes.

Asked why the rifle on show appeared to be an SA 80A1 when only the more advanced A2 was used in Iraq, and why the rifle lacked a shoulder strap, Soldier A said: “I was carrying an A2, I think the one in the picture is that model as well. I can’t explain why it may not be.

“Some soldiers wore rifle slings, many others didn’t. Some found that in a situation where you might have to open fire, a sling made moving the weapon to the firing position very awkward.”