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US 'can release cockpit footage' US 'can release cockpit footage'
(10 minutes later)
The US believes it can make the cockpit video of the "friendly fire" death of a British soldier available to an inquest, Downing Street has said.The US believes it can make the cockpit video of the "friendly fire" death of a British soldier available to an inquest, Downing Street has said.
The tape, obtained by the Sun newspaper, is said to show an American aircraft attack on a British convoy.The tape, obtained by the Sun newspaper, is said to show an American aircraft attack on a British convoy.
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.
A coroner's official later said he had been told the video - classified secret by the US - would be shown in full to only the coroner and the Hull family.A coroner's official later said he had been told the video - classified secret by the US - would be shown in full to only the coroner and the Hull family.
'Good news''Good news'
The coroner's clerk told the BBC he had been informed that the Americans would allow it to be shown on condition it was seen only by the coroner and the Hull family under supervision by a Ministry of Defence (MoD) official, and that the press were not present.The coroner's clerk told the BBC he had been informed that the Americans would allow it to be shown on condition it was seen only by the coroner and the Hull family under supervision by a Ministry of Defence (MoD) official, and that the press were not present.
We're in jail, dude American pilot on tape Inquest coroner to lose job We're in jail, dude American pilot on tape href="either url here">Cockpit video transcript class="" href="/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/6335701.stm">Inquest coroner to lose job
Defence Secretary Des Browne said the American move was "good news".Defence Secretary Des Browne said the American move was "good news".
"The release of classified information, even for the closest of allies, is never straightforward, but this is the right thing to do," he said."The release of classified information, even for the closest of allies, is never straightforward, but this is the right thing to do," he said.
"I recognise that this must have been distressing for the Hull family, and I'm glad that we have been able to resolve it.""I recognise that this must have been distressing for the Hull family, and I'm glad that we have been able to resolve it."
Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said he thought the situation had been resolved by the Americans - rather than by the government - because it was very clear it was already in the public domain.Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said he thought the situation had been resolved by the Americans - rather than by the government - because it was very clear it was already in the public domain.
The Pentagon said no disciplinary action had been taken towards the two American pilots involved in the incident and that there would not be any immediate action to re-evaluate the situation.The Pentagon said no disciplinary action had been taken towards the two American pilots involved in the incident and that there would not be any immediate action to re-evaluate the situation.
It said an official US investigation in 2003 concluded the pilots' actions were not reckless and that they reasonably believed they were engaging an enemy target.It said an official US investigation in 2003 concluded the pilots' actions were not reckless and that they reasonably believed they were engaging an enemy target.
It was not clear if the video material released by the Sun would be declassified, the Pentagon added.It was not clear if the video material released by the Sun would be declassified, the Pentagon added.
'Only chance''Only chance'
Before the Downing Street statement, L/CoH Hull's widow Susan said the video was "vital evidence and must be shown" at an inquest.Before the Downing Street statement, L/CoH Hull's widow Susan said the video was "vital evidence and must be shown" at an inquest.
She said: "I welcome the statement issued on behalf of the Assistant Deputy Coroner Mr Andrew Walker indicating that he will show the video in public when the inquest resumes.She said: "I welcome the statement issued on behalf of the Assistant Deputy Coroner Mr Andrew Walker indicating that he will show the video in public when the inquest resumes.
"It is now well and truly in the public domain. I respect the Coroner's Court and its authority and am pleased that the coroner will be able to use it as part of his inquiries."It is now well and truly in the public domain. I respect the Coroner's Court and its authority and am pleased that the coroner will be able to use it as part of his inquiries.
She added: "The inquest is my one and only chance to hear how and why Matty died. I would have preferred to hear the evidence from the US pilots themselves.She added: "The inquest is my one and only chance to hear how and why Matty died. I would have preferred to hear the evidence from the US pilots themselves.
"However, they cannot be compelled to come and they have not come voluntarily. The video is therefore vital evidence and must be shown.""However, they cannot be compelled to come and they have not come voluntarily. The video is therefore vital evidence and must be shown."
Reacting to the release of the video, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said "these people (the pilots and crew) immediately understood that it was a terrible mistake and they felt immediate remorse for what happened."Reacting to the release of the video, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said "these people (the pilots and crew) immediately understood that it was a terrible mistake and they felt immediate remorse for what happened."
Classified materialClassified material
A row over the tape first erupted last week when Mr Walker launched an attack on the MoD for failing to provide a copy to show the court.A row over the tape first erupted last week when Mr Walker launched an attack on the MoD for failing to provide a copy to show the court.
It also emerged L/CoH Hull's family had been assured no such tape existed.It also emerged L/CoH Hull's family had been assured no such tape existed.
The MoD admitted withholding some classified material but stressed there had been no intention to deceive or mislead.The MoD admitted withholding some classified material but stressed there had been no intention to deceive or mislead.
BBC News security correspondent Frank Gardner said the release of the video had been "deeply embarrassing" to the MoD and the Pentagon.BBC News security correspondent Frank Gardner said the release of the video had been "deeply embarrassing" to the MoD and the Pentagon.
He said: "This was an error, friendly forces got killed because of mistakes both high and lower down the chain of command."He said: "This was an error, friendly forces got killed because of mistakes both high and lower down the chain of command."
Assurances givenAssurances given
At the start of the attack in the video obtained by the paper, 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 video obtained by the paper, 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.
Pilots open fire but soon the error is realised and they are informed friendly units were in the area.Pilots open fire but soon the error is realised and they are informed 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.
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".
Newspaper leakNewspaper leak
The attack from the US A-10 "tankbuster" aircraft reportedly killed L/CoH Hull, from the Household Cavalry Regiment, and injured four others near the southern Iraqi city of Basra.The attack from the US A-10 "tankbuster" aircraft reportedly killed L/CoH Hull, from the Household Cavalry Regiment, and injured four others near the southern Iraqi city of Basra.
The Sun released footage to television and radio stations, but did not give other websites permission to use clips.The Sun released footage to television and radio stations, but did not give 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.