THE family of a Dorset marine who died in Iraq is calling Tony Blair to court to try and force him from office.

Father-of-two Sgt Les Hehir, from Parkstone, was killed along with Royal Navy mechanic Ian Seymour when an American helicopter crashed in Kuwait in March 2003.

The 34-year-old's mother-in-law, Pat Blackburn, withheld £15,000 of income tax in a protest over the war and is now being prosecuted.

Mrs Blackburn, who lives near Dorchester, will appear at Weymouth County Court and plans to call the Prime Minister as a witness, claiming that it was his actions which have forced her to take a stand.

She said she would not pay the money until Mr Blair either resigned or revealed Iraq's alleged stockpile of weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Blair wrote to Mrs Blackburn and her husband, Robert, after they sent an initial letter to Downing Street in May 2003.

He wrote: "There is obviously nothing I can say that can or will reduce your anger or grief. I simply wanted to make a point to you.

"The removal of Saddam Hussein will make Iraq, the region and the wider world a safer and better place."

He argued that a stable, prosperous and more democratic Iraq would have a huge impact on one of the world's most volatile regions, adding he may be wrong in his beliefs, but that was what he genuinely believed.

Mr Blair wrote: "I do not think your son-in-law died in vain but in a cause that in future times the world will be grateful for."

The family continued to write to the government and Mr Blair, but said a lack of answers following the initial letter had added to their grief and anger.

Mrs Blackburn said: "We feel that waiting over 22 months is more than sufficient for the evidence of weapons of mass destruction to be shown to us and Les's children.

"In the meantime, tens of thousands of people are being murdered and our Prime Minister cannot do the honourable thing and resign," she added.

"Withholding my taxes and calling him as a witness is the only thing left for me to do to try and get answers.

"I look forward to seeing the Prime Minister in court."

First published: May 21