Interview with Reg Keys

British civilian and founder member of Military Families Against the War, 2003-2009. The parent whose son served in Iraq as a Lance Corporal with the Royal Military Police during Operation Telic 1 (January 2003-July 2003) and died during the Battle of Majar al-Kabir (24 June 2003).

TRACK 1 [00.00.00] Background: Founding Military Families Against the War (MFAW), 2003; opinion on reason for invasion of Iraq; work with similar organisation in America; opinion on kit and equipment provided to service personnel; opinion on responsibility of military families to raise awareness; story of Thomas joining the Army; previous deployment to Sierra Leone with the Parachute Regiment during Operation Barras (10 September 2000); Thomas’ transfer to Royal Military Police (RMP). Thomas’ deployment to Iraq with RMP during Operation Telic 1 (January 2003-July 2003): [00.03.48] story of Thomas’ death during the Battle of Majid al-Kabir (24 June 2003); feelings of anger as they found out more information about the battle; opinion on the involvement of the Parachute Regiment; story of attending a briefing with Colonel Jeremy Green; rising tensions between the casualties families and the military; story of hearing there were problems with the equipment; opinion on why the RMP stayed in the station during the attack; [00.09.52] story of meeting the pathologist that carried out Thomas’ postmortem; story of being advised not to open Thomas’ coffin and Reg’s refusal; opinion on who was responsible for Thomas’ death; story of Thomas being deployed longer. [00.13.30] Involvement in 2005 General Election: story of deciding to stand against Tony Blair in Sedgefield; story of growing support from campaigners and celebrities including Martin Bell; [00.18.44] challenges of campaigning; story of police visit to house; story of deciding to continue with campaign; story of mock-hanging protest at Labour Party Conference in Brighton (2005). [00.28.19] TRACK 2 [00.00.00] Story of making speech at declaration of votes in front of Tony Blair; feelings of anger at not receiving a letter of condolence from Tony Blair; story of MFAW’s ‘Spectre Party’; decision not to campaign in future elections; [00.04.10] public enquiries taking place at the time; story of whether service personnel are covered by European Human Rights Act; opinion on equipment; opinion on Snatch Land Rover’s; story of grievance taken against the Government for the death of Jason Smith from heat stroke; [00.10.38] story of receiving hostile comments from former service personnel. Thoughts on the invasion of Iraq: opinion on danger of depleted uranium; [00.15.37] story of initial support for the invasion; opinion on the impact of the ‘Shock & Awe’ campaign on Iraqi civilians; opinion on increased sectarian divisions; [00.18.31] story of Thomas’ opinion of the Iraq War; response to letter from Tony Blair; story of confronting Tony Blair at a memorial service at St Paul’s cathedral; opinion on responsibility of Tony Blair and George Bush; attempt of MFAW to launch a public enquiry into the Iraq War; opinion of lasting impact on Iraq; [00.26.10] opinion of Gordon Brown; feelings towards Tony Blair’s resignation; opinion on MPs expenses scandal. [00.28.37] TRACK 3 [00.00.00] Reaction to withdrawal of British troops from Iraq (2009); Thomas’ experiences of training Iraqi forces; opinion that the Iraq War is not over. Final thoughts: [00.04.12] opinion on the Stop the War coalition; opinion on the reasons for the invasion of Iraq; future role of the MFAW; opinion on British involvement in Afghanistan; [00.11.00] second son leaving the Army; impact of Thomas’ death on his wife; opinion on class structure within the Army; story of Army wanting to use photograph of Thomas and other RMP casualties for Army recruitment; story of pathologist using autopsy photographs of RMP casualties, including Thomas’, during lecture without families permission. [00.19.10] Sensitive info re wife’s mental health: TRACK 3 [00.11.00 – 00.12.08]