John Miller's son, Corporal Simon Miller, 21, was one of six Redcaps slain in Al Majar al-Kabir in 2003, along with Corporal Paul Long, 24, also from South Shields.

Three of the families arranged to meet with Mr Hutton before a crucial arrest was made in connection with the deaths.

Mr Miller said Mr Hutton had confirmed the alleged killer, an Iraqi national, was one of the six names he put to him, but was unable to give further details.

"I've got the names of the six killers and the name is one of the names on the list, but he would not say which one," he said.

"He was arrested by a joint coalition operation with American and Iraqi forces and is being held somewhere near Baghdad."

He added: "We want to go out for the trial, but we were told it is still dangerous out there. After a bit more talking, Mr Hutton said he will see if he can get us out there."

In a surprise twist, Mr Hutton also revealed his own son had known Cpl Miller and they had been on nights out together.

Mr Miller, who lives in Washington, said: "I was quite surprised when he asked me which school Simon went to."

He said Cpl Miller's girlfriend was friends with Mr Hutton's son's girlfriend and the foursome had apparently been to a New Year's Eve party together.

The other soldiers who were killed were Sergeant Simon Hamilton-Jewell, 41, from Surrey, Lance Corporal Tom Keys, from North Wales, Lance Corporal Ben Hyde, from Northallerton, and Corporal Russell Aston, 30, from Derbyshire.

Reg Keys and Mike Aston also attended the meeting.