The Telegraph and Argus has pre-empted a visit to war widow Samantha Roberts by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon by handing him an open letter asking for a full apology over her husband's death.

The Shipley widow visited Geoff Hoon at Westminster yesterday to discuss the circumstances surrounding the death of her husband Sgt Steve Roberts in Iraq.

He died trying to quell a riot after apparently being told to hand over his body armour because of shortages.

The paper delivered the letter at the weekend as calls for his resignation grew.

Hoon was strongly criticised when the circumstances of Sgt Roberts' death were revealed. The jacket he handed back would have protected him from enemy fire.

The controversial minister was criticised by Samantha for "his reluctance to take responsibility for supply problems" which dogged the Army in Iraq - and she said his previous apology had not gone far enough.

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