Defence Secretary pays tribute to Rifles officer killed by Afghan bomb

Defence Secretary Liam Fox today praised the bravery of a British soldier who died in Afghanistan after being caught in a bomb blast.

Lieutenant Daniel Clack, 24, had been due to marry his fiancée Amy Tinley, 24, who works as Mr Fox's parliamentary assistant in his Commons office.

Dr Fox said: "I was very saddened to learn of the death of Lieutenant Daniel Clack, a young man who, it is clear from the tributes paid, was an officer of great quality, both liked and respected by his men. Lieutenant Clack not only made the ultimate sacrifice doing a job he loved, but he did so serving his country, defending the security of the United Kingdom and its people. Of course though, this does not lessen the pain for the loved ones left behind, and my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Lieutenant Clack's family, friends and colleagues at this painful time."

Lt Clack, from north London, was a member of 1st Battalion The Rifles. He was leading a 10-man patrol to meet locals in a nearby village in Helmand Province when he was hit by an improvised explosive device last week.

Five of his comrades were also injured in the blast. Lt Clack also leaves his mother Sue, father Martin and brother James.

His family said in a statement: "Dan was a brave rifleman and he died doing the only profession he ever considered. He loved leading his riflemen and was so proud to be an officer in the British Army. There are no words to describe our loss. He will be forever missed by his mother, father, brother, fiancée and all those who knew him. He will always be in our hearts."

The officer deployed to Afghanistan in April as a platoon commander in charge of Check Point Shaparack in the district of Nahr-e-Saraj in Helmand.

Lieutenant-Colonel James de Labilliere, his commanding officer, described Lt Clack as "in all respects, a natural Rifles officer". His platoon serjeant, Darren Gornall, added: "He was not only a very good officer but an all round top bloke."