Iraq forces relied on US helicopters

British forces in the Iraq city of Basra had to rely on the Americans for Apache attack helicopters because all the UK aircraft were being deployed to Afghanistan, the Iraq inquiry was told yesterday.

Maj Gen Graham Binns, commander of coalition forces in southern Iraq from mid-2007 to early 2008, said the Apaches were "magnificent" as a deterrent against the insurgents in the city.

"Whenever we had attack helicopters based in Basra, the opposition knew about it," he said.

But although he had discussions with commanders in the UK about deploying British Apaches, he never submitted a formal request because he knew that the priority was Afghanistan.

"I think there was a capacity issue," he said. "If there was a major gap, it was in attack helicopters."

He said that if he needed the Apaches, he had to ask the US commanders in Baghdad to send some of theirs.

"To be fair, the Americans took risk. They were prepared to take risk in their own areas to give us Apaches," he said.

The inquiry was adjourned to Monday.

Yesterday Commons Leader Harriet Harman ruled out a debate on the Iraq war inquiry until after its report was completed.

MPs should not seek to "breathe down its neck" while the inquiry was taking evidence, she said.

But Tory former Cabinet minister Douglas Hogg said MPs should be able to "express the view" that Gordon Brown should give evidence to the inquiry before the General Election.

The inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, has so far taken evidence from a number of senior figures including former No 10 spin doctor Alastair Campbell – and will hear from former Prime Minister Tony Blair in a few weeks.

Journalist's body released to family

The body of a British journalist killed in an explosion while embedded with the US Marines in Afghanistan was released for burial yesterday after his inquest opened.

Sunday Mirror defence correspondent Rupert Hamer was the first British journalist to die in the conflict.

Mr Hamer, 39, a former Leeds University student, fell victim to an improvised explosive device on January 9.

Mr Hamer was repatriated to the UK and a post-mortem examination was carried out which showed an interim cause of death as multiple injuries in keeping with the effects of an explosion.

David Ridley, coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, adjourned the inquest until a date after July 19.