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US 'to release cockpit footage' US 'to release cockpit footage'
(about 1 hour 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 has agreed to 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, is said to show an American aircraft attack on a British convoy in Iraq in 2003.The tape, obtained by the Sun, is said to show an American aircraft attack on a British convoy in Iraq in 2003.
Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, 25, from Berkshire, died in the attack.Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, 25, from Berkshire, died in the attack.
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 row over the tape erupted last week when the coroner, Andrew Walker, attacked defence officials for failing to provide a copy to show the court.
L/CoH Matty Hull's widow has also said she was told no video existed, although the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it had simply not mentioned the video to her.
'Good news''Good news'
A row over the tape first erupted last week when the coroner, Andrew Walker, launched an attack on the Ministry of Defence for failing to provide a copy to show the court. A coroner's clerk told the BBC he had been informed on Tuesday that the US would allow it to be shown - but on condition it was seen only by the coroner and the Hull family under supervision by an MoD official, and that the press were not present.
It also emerged L/CoH Hull's family had been assured no such tape existed.
The coroner's clerk told the BBC he had been informed on Tuesday that the US would allow it to be shown - but on condition it was seen only by the coroner and the Hull family under supervision by a Ministry of Defence official, and that the press were not present.
We're in jail, dude American pilot on tape Cockpit video transcript Inquest coroner to lose jobWe're in jail, dude American pilot on tape Cockpit video transcript Inquest coroner to lose job
Defence Secretary Des Browne said the move to release the tape was "the right thing to do".Defence Secretary Des Browne said the move to release the tape was "the right thing to do".
But Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said he thought the situation had been resolved by the Americans because it was very clear it was already in the public domain.But Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said he thought the situation had been resolved by the Americans because it was very clear it was already in the public domain.
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.
"The inquest is my one and only chance to hear how and why Matty died," she said."The inquest is my one and only chance to hear how and why Matty died," she said.
She added that she would have preferred to hear the evidence from the US pilots themselves, but they could not be compelled to come and had not come voluntarily.She added that she would have preferred to hear the evidence from the US pilots themselves, but they could not be compelled to come and had not come voluntarily.
Audibly upsetAudibly upset
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.
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 - and an air controller says it is reported that one person has been killed and one wounded.Pilots open fire but soon the error is realised and they are informed friendly units were in the area - and an air controller says it is reported that one person has been killed and one wounded.
One pilot replies: "Copy. RTB [return to base]."One pilot replies: "Copy. RTB [return to base]."
A colleague says: "I'm going to be sick."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.
"We're in jail, dude," says the first pilot."We're in jail, dude," says the first pilot.
The other pilot is audibly upset, saying: "God dammit".The other pilot is audibly upset, saying: "God dammit".
The Pentagon said no disciplinary action had been taken towards the two American pilots involved in the incident.The Pentagon said no disciplinary action had been taken towards the two American pilots involved in the incident.
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.
'Deeply embarrassing''Deeply embarrassing'
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the pilots and crew "had immediately understood that it was a terrible mistake and they felt immediate remorse for what happened".US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the pilots and crew "had immediately understood that it was a terrible mistake and they felt immediate remorse for what happened".
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."
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.