MILITARY investigators have tracked down vital body armour that could protect British soldiers serving in Iraq on the online auction site eBay.

Ballistic armour plates intended to be used as part of protective clothing were found for sale on two occasions.

Documents obtained under Freedom of Information legislation also show MoD detectives also found fire-fighting equipment, Navy survival suits, radios and even the cockpit section of an RAF trainer for sale.

Military Police have powers to arrest and prosecute civilians as well as current and former members of the forces.

While many of the items are relatively innocuous, such as £40 combat boots and surplus uniforms, others are more expensive and include important pieces of kit. In 2004, investigators found two instances of ballistic armour plates being sold online and tracked down one seller. The MoD refused to disclose what action it took.

In 2003, a British soldier died in Iraq because he was not wearing the enhanced body armour he had to give up due to shortages. Sergeant Steven Roberts, of Shipley, West Yorkshire, was accidentally shot when UK troops opened fire during a disturbance near Basra. A board of inquiry said bullet-proof plates for his body armour would have saved him.

Last year, investigators blocked the sale of two advanced army PRR radios valued at about £150 apiece. Earlier this year, a cockpit section from a Jet Provost trainer was found for sale online, its estimated value is £2,500.

Posted: 09|3|06 at 8:47 am. Filed under: UK News.