Mother of Abergavenny man killed in Afghanistan praised in House of Commons

Mr Flynn and Michael Fallon paid tribute to work done by the founder of the Welsh Warriors charity Hazel Hunt.

Mrs Hunt established the charity in memory of her son Richard who was 21 in 2009 when he was the 200th British soldier to die in the Afghan conflict. Earlier this month, speaking to the Argus, she called for an inquiry into Britain’s involvement in the conflict there.

And Mr Flynn made reference to her comments in asking Mr Fallon whether there would be an inquiry. He said he hoped it would not be delayed like the Chilcot Inquiry, the investigation into British involvement in the Iraq war, “so that the guilty cannot again hide the truth”.

On Thursday, Mr Fallon replied to the comments that although establishing an inquiry was not just a decision for him alone, he was keen to pay tribute to her charity.

He said: “I am happy to pay tribute to the work of Mrs Hunt, and I think I acknowledged the enormity of the sacrifice made by our servicemen and women, not simply those who lost their lives but those who suffered life-changing injuries during the campaign, and it is right that we should continue to pay that tribute."

Mr Fallon also said that some of the lessons of the conflict, such as how the military combats IEDs (improvised explosive devices), are already being learned.

Mrs Hunt had said: “I do blame the politicians. They have blood on their hands. They did not understand the situation on the ground. My son was killed because of the politicians. They were asking too much of the armed forces.”

The charity was established after her son was injured in an explosion near Musa Qala and died a few days later at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on August 13 2009.

The foundation helps Welsh servicemen and women and their families, including those left physically or mentally injured after serving their country said she is relieved the troops have returned home.