asked Her Majesty's Government:

Who in the Ministry of Defence authorised the evidence of Mr David Williams, director of capability, resources and scrutiny, for the inquest into the death of Sergeant Steven Roberts in Iraq. [HL1059]

Mr Williams was the director in charge of the organisation responsible for managing urgent operational requirements for equipment at the time, and was directly involved in advising Ministers and senior military personnel on the work being undertaken against the possibility of military engagement in Iraq. Mr Williams’s attendance was put forward by the MoD's counsel at the inquest as the person best able to answer the specific questions raised by the coroner. The coroner accepted Mr Williams as a suitable witness.