THE Royal Military Police are investigating claims of drink-driving in connection with an Iraq crash during which a Gwent SAS soldier was killed.

Major James Stenner, from Monmouthshire, died when the car in which he was travelling with a colleague, Sergeant Norman Patterson, hit a wall in Baghdad.

The accident happened in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Major Stenner, 30, who served with the Welsh Guards, was originally from Monmouthshire.

His wife, Mary, lives in Eign Hill, Hereford, is understood to be expecting their first child in April.

The accident happened near the front gate of safe Green Zone where the SAS had its headquarters in Iraq.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence yesterday said: "The Royal Military Police are investigating the death, including any allegations that they had been drinking before the fatal accident."