Family appeal for Briton on trial in Iraq
Updated on 14 August 2009
Private security guard Danny Fitzsimons is accused of murdering two colleagues in Baghdad - his parents say he should never have been allowed to work in Iraq. Nick Martin reports.
Former soldier Danny Fitzsimons faces the death penalty after allegedly shooting the men during a drunken argument last weekend.
Today his father and step mother said they believed he was mentally unstable, scarred from his experiences of war in Kosovo and Afghanistan.
They are calling for him to be tried in the UK.
"Tormented is a word that springs to mind because he got lots and lots of flashbacks to the things he's seen and he was paranoid about being followed. We didn't realise the full extent to be honest.
"He is a very, very poorly young man. We're very, very sorry for the two men who have been shot and their families"
When asked: "Do you think that he should have been allowed to join as a private security guard?
They replied "You see, there are two sides to that aren't there - that is what Daniel wanted. But we're thinking 'No' he shouldn't have been allowed back into a war zone like that in the mental state of mind he was in, which unfortunately we didn't know."
Channel 4 News asked the company today whether he'd been assessed before being employed.
In a statement the company said it could not comment on Mr individual cases but added:
"Armor Group has strong vetting and screening policy and processes in place across the company and we undertake extensive research into the suitability of individuals to work in conditions such as those in Iraq.
This includes assessing applicants backgrounds and likely resilience to stress in the recruiting process to ensure those that are employed will be resiliant on account of prior active service, and an independent medical report that candidates are obliged to provide.
Armour Group added that a representative was visiting him daily to ensure his welfare.
