Father of 300th victim questions Afghan strategy

Family tribute: Marine Paul Warren
12 April 2012

The father of the 300th British soldier killed in Afghanistan today questioned the justification for the war.

Robin Hollington, whose son Richard, a Royal Marine, died on Sunday, said he wanted a personal explanation from the Prime Minister about why Britain is fighting the Taliban.

"I do not see a huge amount of progress being made and it would be extremely interesting to hear from Mr (David) Cameron or Mr (Liam) Fox exactly why we are there," he told ITV News.

"I don't think the public are being told enough to justify what is going on at the moment."

Mr Hollington described his 23-year-old son, from Petersfield, Hampshire, as a lion.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed today that two more Royal Marines from 40 Commando were killed in Afghanistan, bringing the number of fatalities to 302.

Today the family of the 301st British to die in the nine-year conflict, Marine Paul Warren, 23 , from Leyland, Lancashire, paid tribute to him.

In a statement, they said: "A loving son, a brother and grandson who made us proud as a family. His cheeky smile will be missed by all who knew him."

Mr Cameron has urged the British public to maintain their support for UK troops in Afghanistan and stressed the campaign is needed to stop future terror attacks.

Ministers have signalled that British forces could start to be withdrawn next year.

Ends.

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