THE father of a young Devon soldier who was killed in Afghanistan is reconsidering whether to continue to sue the Ministry of Defence.

Ian Sadler, 59, from Exmouth, has blamed the MoD for causing the death of his son Jack, a former Exeter School pupil.

The 21-year-old member of the TA was killed when his armoured vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb in Helmand province in December 2007.

Mr Sadler has maintained his son was poorly equipped and the vehicle he was travelling in was not up to the job of safeguarding troops.

He is suing the MoD on the grounds he lost his son through negligence because of the unsuitability of the WMIK Land Rover supplied.

"The MoD have said I face a bill for £200,000 if I persist with this action," said Mr Sadler.

"They are claiming combat immunity and because of these costs I am now forced to reconsider whether to continue with this action."

Mr Sadler is claiming a cash sum for the loss of his son, but stressed this was the only avenue open to him to bring to bear his allegations that Jack did not have the correct equipment which caused his death.

The MoD has classed Mr Sadler's action under Human Rights legislation, but said it was not possible to make a claim from the ministry for injuries under this law.