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Coroner 'to show cockpit video' Coroner 'to show cockpit video'
(20 minutes later)
The cockpit video at the heart of a row over the "friendly fire" death of a British soldier could now be shown at his inquest, a coroner's official says.The cockpit video at the heart of a row over the "friendly fire" death of a British soldier could now be shown at his inquest, a coroner's official says.
Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, 25, from Berks, was killed in Iraq in 2003.Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, 25, from Berks, was killed in Iraq in 2003.
The video, reportedly obtained by the Sun newspaper, is said to show the US aircraft attack on a British convoy.The video, reportedly obtained by the Sun newspaper, is said to show the US aircraft attack on a British convoy.
Clerk Geoff Webb said coroner Andrew Walker felt that, as the video was now in the public domain, it could be shown when the inquest resumes in March.Clerk Geoff Webb said coroner Andrew Walker felt that, as the video was now in the public domain, it could be shown when the inquest resumes in March.
The video was classified "secret" by the US, but minister Harriet Harman says she wants all evidence to be made available. The video was classified "secret" by the US, but Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the UK Government wanted the inquest to have access to as much evidence as possible and was working with the US to achieve that.
The coroner has been shown a copy of the footage from the cockpit by the Ministry of Defence but does not have it. 'Abort mission'
The coroner has been shown a copy of the footage from the cockpit by the Ministry of Defence but no longer has it.
Mr Webb told the BBC the Sun has promised to give the coroner's court a copy of the video.Mr Webb told the BBC the Sun has promised to give the coroner's court a copy of the video.
At the start of the attack in the Sun video, one pilot notices orange panels on the vehicles and asks whether there could be any friendly units in the area.At the start of the attack in the Sun video, one pilot notices orange panels on the vehicles and asks whether there could be any friendly units in the area.
His command gives assurances there are no coalition forces in the area.His command gives assurances there are no coalition forces in the area.
We're in jail, dude American pilot on tapeWe're in jail, dude American pilot on tape
Pilots open fire but soon the error is realised and they are informed that friendly units were in the area.Pilots open fire but soon the error is realised and they are informed that friendly units were in the area.
They are told: "Abort your mission. You got a, looks we might have a blue-on-blue situation [a friendly fire incident]."They are told: "Abort your mission. You got a, looks we might have a blue-on-blue situation [a friendly fire incident]."
An air controller on the ground says: "We are getting an initial brief that there was one killed and one wounded, over."An air controller on the ground says: "We are getting an initial brief that there was one killed and one wounded, over."
One pilot replies: "Copy. RTB [return to base]." A colleague says: "I'm going to be sick."One pilot replies: "Copy. RTB [return to base]." A colleague says: "I'm going to be sick."
They then talk about the possibility of being jailed for carrying out the attack.They then talk about the possibility of being jailed for carrying out the attack.
'Weeping''Weeping'
The first pilot says: "Did you hear?" His colleague replies: "Yeah, this sucks."The first pilot says: "Did you hear?" His colleague replies: "Yeah, this sucks."
"We're in jail, dude," says the first."We're in jail, dude," says the first.
The other pilot is audibly upset, saying: "God dammit".The other pilot is audibly upset, saying: "God dammit".
The row erupted last week when Oxfordshire Assistant Deputy Coroner Andrew Walker launched a furious attack on the MoD for failing to provide a copy of the tape.The row erupted last week when Oxfordshire Assistant Deputy Coroner Andrew Walker launched a furious attack on the MoD for failing to provide a copy of the tape.
In a statement, the MoD said it had been given a copy of the video by the US government for its own investigation into the incident.In a statement, the MoD said it had been given a copy of the video by the US government for its own investigation into the incident.
"This recording is the property of the United States government and the MoD does not have the right to release it without their permission.""This recording is the property of the United States government and the MoD does not have the right to release it without their permission."
There really is no alternative other than full disclosure of the circumstances Sir Menzies Campbell
The deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in London, David Johnson, said it was considering de-classifying the video if the military considered it would not put forces at risk in future.The deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in London, David Johnson, said it was considering de-classifying the video if the military considered it would not put forces at risk in future.
Foreign Secretary Mrs Beckett, said: "The matter is important and needs to be resolved, but we are confident that it will be kept in proportion."
Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, said this was a real test of relations between the two countries.
"There really is no alternative other than full disclosure of the circumstances otherwise how can the family of someone like Matty Hull ever be satisfied about what happened to him."
The Sun has released footage to television and radio stations, but is not giving other websites permission to use clips.The Sun has released footage to television and radio stations, but is not giving other websites permission to use clips.
It is not known who leaked the video to the newspaper, but the US government has suggested it is likely to have been a criminal act.It is not known who leaked the video to the newspaper, but the US government has suggested it is likely to have been a criminal act.