The heartbroken mother of a British soldier killed in Iraq yesterday hit out at Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defence Minister Geoff Hoon.

Rose Gentle, 40, said her son Gordon, who died in Basra on Monday, was nothing more than "a bit of meat" to the Premier and Mr Hoon.

She said her son, a 19-year-old soldier in the First Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers, had been killed in a war over oil.

Speaking at her home in Glasgow, Mrs Gentle said: "My son was just a bit of meat to them, just a number. They don't care about him, all they're worried about is the next election.

"This is not our war. My son has died in their war over oil and they haven't even taken up the trouble of picking up the phone and say they're sorry for our loss."

Private Gentle passed out from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, earlier this year, and Iraq was one of his first postings.

He was killed in an improvised explosive device attack on British military vehicles while on routine patrol in the southern Iraqi city yesterday morning.

Also speaking at the family home, the soldier's uncle, Gordon, 41, said: "It's disgusting the way they've treated us, poor Gordon was just fodder to them."

Pte Gentle also leaves his father, George, 45, and sisters Pamela, 21, and Maxine, 14.

The family yesterday hit out at the Army, claiming the teenager had not received adequate training.

They said Iraq was no place for a recently-qualified soldier.

They are also anxious for news from the Ministry of Defence on when Pte Gentle's remains will be sent home.

Meanwhile, friends and neighbours are rallying round the family.

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