Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is to face a grilling from the family of a military policeman, who are demanding a medal for their murdered son.
On Thursday, the family of South Shields Redcap Corporal Paul Long, 24, will present more than 5,000 "Debt of Honour" campaign signatures from the people of South Tyneside to Mr Hoon at the Ministry of Defence, in London.
The campaign is seeking posthumous bravery medals for Cpl Long, 24, and his five comrades, including 23-year-old Lance Corporal Ben Hyde, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and Corporal Simon Miller, 21, from Washington, Wearside.
The Royal Military Police officers from 156 Provost Company were killed by a mob of about 400 at a police station in Majar al-Kabir, Iraq, on June 24, last year.
Despite holding their posts to the last and a host of eyewitnesses testifying to their bravery, the six Redcaps have so far been overlooked for operational honours.
South Shields MP David Miliband will join Cpl Long's family for the meeting with Mr Hoon.
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