AN MP has accused the British government of covering up its role in the capture of a Hampshire grandfather during the first Gulf war.

Clive Earthy, from Alresford, was one of 392 civilians taken hostage in August 1990 when British Airways Flight 149 landed in Kuwait as Saddam Hussein's army was surrounding the airport.

BA worker Mr Earthy, who was in charge of the flight's cabin service, endured months as a prisoner of the Iraqi army during which he was used as a human shield, deprived of regular meals and threatened with death.

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker claimed the flight was forced to land because the British government wanted to drop off a group of special forces personnel who were on board.

Mr Baker said: "I have here copies of affidavits signed by members of special forces to the effect that they were on that plane and put there to carry out a mission at the request of the British government."

He declined to reveal their identities, saying to do so would be irresponsible.

Demanding an inquiry and accusing governments past and present of a cover-up, he said passengers and crew still bore the mental scars today from the brutality they witnessed.

Full story in today's Daily Echo.