The mother of a teenage soldier killed in Basra earlier this year blamed the Prime Minister for the latest fatalities, while politicians north of the border expressed their condolences to the families.

Mr Scott said he was relieved his grandson, Private Charles Scott, 18, had not been involved in the incident.

Speaking from his home in Methil, Fife, he said: “There will be a lot of people apprehensive until they realise it is not one of their own.

“But this (The Black Watch) is a family.

“I feel sick to the guts as three of my family have been killed.

“It is like losing one of your own.”

Mr Scott, who served with the Black Watch for 12 years, had strong criticism for the decision makers at Westminster.

He said: The MPs, on their next recess, should go out and have a shot at being soldiers as it would let them see what they are making decisions about.

“They would not know a Triangle of Death if it hit them in the face.

“Such language does not help things and it does not help the families.”

Mr Scott said it would take the Black Watch time to “pick up the pieces” left by the American troops, whom he criticised for their “gung ho” tactics in and around Baghdad.

Rose Gentle, whose son was killed in Iraq, said she was “sickened” by the news.

Private Gordon Gentle, 19, from the Pollok area of Glasgow, was serving with the Royal Highland Fusiliers when he was killed in a roadside blast in Basra on June 28.

Mrs Gentle said tonight: “When I heard the news it sickened me and it just brought everything back.

“What is the man playing at (Tony Blair)?

“He is a murdering pig.

“The man is a disgrace – why is he sending our boys out there?

“How many more have to die?

“My heart goes out to those families as I know how they are feeling.”

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