Executed soldier 'died for a pair of goggles'

The 20-year-old Highlander, whose parents live in Sighthill, Edinburgh, was captured on an army CCTV camera as he left a checkpoint in central Helmand about 2am in full-body armour and helmet and carrying his assault rifle.

His body was found several hours later in a nearby irrigation ditch, stripped of his equipment and uniform.

Amid conflicting reports of how he was killed, Royal Military Police investigators now believe he had gone to find a pair of night vision goggles left at a nearby Afghan National Army base.

Highlander McLaren, who served with the 4th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, has been described by his commander as "the most reliable and conscientious member of his platoon" who had "a heart of gold".

He was reported missing from Checkpoint Salaang, a small outpost in Central Helmand, about two hours after the CCTV pictures showed him leaving the compound.

A full-scale search involving helicopters, dogs, and special forces saw a planned visit by Prime Minister David Cameron to the British headquarters at Lashkar Gah suspended.

Mr Cameron later praised the soldier's "bravery and dedication".

Last week a local Afghan commander claimed Highlander McLaren had gone swimming with two Afghan soldiers and drowned. That story is now being dismissed as a rumour.

Other accounts suggest he became disorientated in sweltering night-time heat.

Military investigators now believe he had gone to retrieve a pair of night vision goggles.

Any loss of such equipment, in short supply and considered highly valuable to the Taleban, could have lead to him facing questions in an inquiry.

The young soldier may have been worried by the consequences, it is suggested.

"He was probably scared he'd get into trouble if the Taleban got hold of the equipment," an Afghan intelligence agent was quoted as saying.

But the Royal Military Police will also investigate whether he was acting alone or was instructed to retrieve the goggles, and when and whether he notified anyone before he left the base.

Searchers heard shots fired several hours after he was reported missing but his body was not found for more than 12 hours.

Friends in Edinburgh have described him as a disciplined young man who was well aware of the risks in Afghanistan. One said: "He said it was always a dangerous place and that you had to be alert at all times."

Searchers tried repeatedly to call him on his personal radio. The watercourse where his body was found was in farmlands providing easy cover.

Witnesses have suggested that Highlander McLaren was captured by local insurgents before he was handed over to armed Taleban led by a Pakistani commander. It is thought he was beaten and then shot as searchers closed in.

His captors were paid in cash and were rewarded with motorbikes, it has been claimed. "The senior leaders in Pakistan were very happy with us," said one Taleban fighter who claimed to have taken part in his capture.

His parents, James and Ann McLaren, said in a statement last week: "We are deeply saddened by the news that our dear son Scott was killed in Afghanistan.

"We were extremely proud of Scott.

"He loved the Army and despite his short time in 4 Scots had made many friends."