THE partner of SAS hero Brad Tinnion, who was killed rescuing British soldiers in Sierra Leone, has been offered £250,000 by the Ministry of Defence.

Anna Homsi, 31, mother of his 11-month-old baby, had been considering suing the MoD after being refused a war pension because she was not married to Bombardier Tinnion, from Harrogate.

The 28-year-old was killed in a fierce firefight last September while rescuing 12 Royal Irish Regiment soldiers taken hostage by rebels in the Sierra Leone jungle.

Ms Homsi was six months pregnant at the time of his death.

Earlier this year, defence secretary Geoff Hoon indicated the MoD was preparing to back down in the face of hostile publicity.

Now they have made Ms Homsi and her daughter, Georgia, a firm offer of £250,000.

Miss Homsi said: "I'm not scoffing at it, but it still doesn't recognise me as Brad's partner, and it doesn't help others who may be in the same position.

"The suffering and sacrifice that many other people have gone through - and will go through in the future - is very real, but is still being ignored.

"That's why the law must be changed, and now more than ever considering the sad events in the world at present."

Her solicitor, Tom Reah, said she had not yet decided whether to accept the offer, which he said was around half of what she would have received had she been married.

The MoD said the offer reflected Ms Homsi's unique circumstances.

But officials said it was non-negotiable and should not be seen as a precedent.

His stepfather, David Collins, who is married to Mr Tinnion's mother, Phyllis, said from the family home in Harrogate: "Our son was a hero, and people must remember that. He died helping others, but that has been overshadowed by the dispute."

Updated: 11:02 Tuesday, October 30, 2001