The mother of a soldier killed in Iraq has written an open letter to the Prime Minister after her requests for a meeting over the war failed.

Pauline Hickey has been searching for justice since her son Christian, 30, a sergeant with the Coldstream Guards, died in a roadside bomb blast in October.

She has already delivered a letter to Downing Street asking for a meeting with Tony Blair.

And last month Mrs Hickey was among hundreds who were left out in the cold at Downing Street after Mr Blair refused to meet them.

In her letter posted on the Military Families Against The War website, www.mfaw.org.uk, Mrs Hickey says: "Prime Minister. You will probably not remember me, I wrote to you several months ago requesting a meeting to discuss your reasons for invading Iraq.

"Since then I have heard nothing so I presume you are not willing to meet with me to explain your decision to invade Iraq in a war I believe to be illegal.

"I do have a personal interest in that my son paid the ultimate price."

The Telegraph & Argus reported in March how Mrs Hickey, of East Bierley, Bradford, felt insulted by a reply from Downing Street to her first letter. It merely acknowledged receipt of the letter but failed to answer the question of a meeting.

She also addressed a crowd of more than 15,000 people at an anti-war protest in London to call for British troops to be brought home.

"I've also read that Tony Blair has said he will withdraw troops within 18 months before he stands down himself," she said.

"It seems he is interested in his own legacy than the number of soldiers killed out there."

Sgt Hickey was remembered in his home village earlier this year when a service was held in his honour in East Bierley where his name has been inscribed on the war memorial.

A military inquiry into his death is still under way.

Mrs Hickey is due to speak at the Just Church group's meeting tonight in Bradford. Just Church is a weekly Christian service focusing on issues of peace, justice and human rights.

She is also due to speak at the Stop the War Coalition conference being held next month in London.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk