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

Anna Homsi had been considering suing the MoD after she was refused a war pension because she was not married to Bdr Tinnion, who was based in Hereford.

This was despite the fact the couple had lived together for seven years and Miss Homsi was pregnant with their daughter when he died in action last year.

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

Now it has made Miss Homsi and her daughter, Georgia, a firm offer of £250,000. Miss Homsi said she faced a dilemma over the offer.

"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," she said.

"The suffering and sacrifice 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."

Her solicitor Tom Reah said the amount was still much less than a married woman would have received. The MoD said the offer reflected Miss Homsi's unique circumstances.

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

Bdr Tinnion was posthumously honoured for his role in helping rescue 11 soldiers held hostage by rebels in the west African country last September.

Miss Homsi received a one-off payment of £20,000 and a grant for Georgia of £2,000 a year until she was 17. But she was refused a pension and threatened to sue under European law.

Liberal Democrat defence spokesman and Hereford MP Paul Keetch has led the campaign for pension rights for unmarried couples to be changed.