Minister confronted by dead soldier's mother

The mother of a Black Country soldier killed in Afghanistan has accused Gordon Brown of breaking a promise to help her get some answers.

Ann Probyn, whose son Daniel died in May 2007 while serving with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, confronted foreign secretary David Miliband during a live broadcast of the Politics Show about why she had not had any communication from the government despite assurances from the Prime Minister.

"You tell me why I should vote Labour when they are doing nothing to help me," she said.

Just days ago, Mr Brown caused outrage when he was caught on mic calling an ordinary voter a "bigoted woman" after she asked about immigration.

Mrs Probyn, of Hawbush Road, Brierley Hill, had confronted the Prime Minister on the show in March about why her son was sent on patrol without proper equipment. She said he told her after the recording that someone would be in touch but, seven weeks later, nobody had.

She rang them on Friday but said she heard nothing back, denying Mr Miliband's claim that defence secretary Bob Ainsworth had called her back that day.

Mr Miliband apologised for the delay, calling it "completely inexcusable."

He also praised Daniel's bravery, saying: "I have walked the streets of Garmsir in Helmand Province and that town is not a home for the Taliban now, because of the work your son helped to do."

He sat chatting after the broadcast and gave her Mr Ainsworth's direct number.

"I have a lot of questions about what happened to Daniel," she said afterwards.

"I only have this number now because I was on TV - I'm no fool. There are a lot of families out there with similar questions who don't have that advantage."

Mr Miliband appeared before a panel of undecided voters on The Politics Show yesterday, filmed live at King Edward VI College, Stourbridge, alongside the Tories' William Hague and Ed Davey for the Liberal Democrats.

By Charlotte Cross