British solider killed in Iraq

Wednesday, 5 November 2003 3:33 AM

A British marine was killed in Iraq yesterday, Downing Street confirmed.

The Ministry of Defence said Royal Marine Corporal Ian Plank, 31, from Dorset, was killed by hostile fire.

Ian Plank died during a military operation last Friday but details of his death were held back because of operational concerns, the MoD said.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said: "The Prime Minister is obviously deeply saddened.

"We have always been aware that the work that our troops do in Iraq is both dangerous and valuable, and the Prime Minister has always been very aware of the risks that our soldiers run at the same time as he believes their work is highly to be valued."

Corporal Plank was the 52nd British soldier to die in Iraq.

Four other British soldiers received minor injuries in the attack, the spokeswoman said.

Colonel Jerry Heal, the Royal Marines' director, said in a tribute to the dead soldier: "Ian Plank was an extremely popular and greatly admired member of the Royal Marines, widely respected for his professional excellence, commitment and determination.

"He was particularly well known for his resilience and robustness under pressure, when his leadership, example and sense of humour were especially valued.

"His positive outlook, bright disposition and zest for life will be remembered with deep pride and affection by all who knew him, and most of all by his family and those members of the Royal Marines and others with whom he served around the world."

Separately, US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said the latest swathe of attacks on coalition troops was mainly the work of a small number of Saddam Hussein loyalists, adding the recent violence was distorting "the larger picture" of success.

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