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US rejects ruling on UK soldier | US rejects ruling on UK soldier |
(10 minutes later) | |
The US State Department has rejected a coroner's conclusion that the "friendly fire" death of a British soldier in Iraq was unlawful and a criminal act. | The US State Department has rejected a coroner's conclusion that the "friendly fire" death of a British soldier in Iraq was unlawful and a criminal act. |
Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, 25, died near Basra on 28 March 2003 when a US pilot fired on his tank convoy. | |
US spokesman Sean McCormack said it was a "tragedy" during a time of war. | |
The coroner was critical of US failure to send witnesses to the inquest but the Pentagon said he had access to most information from its own inquiry. | The coroner was critical of US failure to send witnesses to the inquest but the Pentagon said he had access to most information from its own inquiry. |
Speaking at a State Department briefing in Washington, Mr McCormack said: "Clearly we don't agree with the assessment. What we have here is a tragedy that occurred during a time of war. | |
"We have conducted an investigation into the matter - our military has - they have come to their own conclusions. | |
"We certainly would not agree with any conclusion that categorised this as a criminal act." | |
Widow reacts | |
Recording a narrative verdict, Oxford assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker said L/Cpl Hull's death was "entirely avoidable". | Recording a narrative verdict, Oxford assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker said L/Cpl Hull's death was "entirely avoidable". |
"It was unlawful because there was no lawful reason for it and in that respect it was criminal," he said. | |
How pilots fired on 'friendlies' Finding solace after long wait | How pilots fired on 'friendlies' Finding solace after long wait |
The US pilots from the Idaho Air National Guard should have flown lower to confirm identities before opening fire, he added. | The US pilots from the Idaho Air National Guard should have flown lower to confirm identities before opening fire, he added. |
"I don't think this was a case of honest mistake." | "I don't think this was a case of honest mistake." |
Speaking after the verdict, L/Cpl Hull's widow Susan said she was now prepared to "draw the line" on the event. | |
"I think all of our family feel it was the right verdict. It was what we'd waited four years to hear," she said. | |
"It's been a long and painful time and we need to move forward." | "It's been a long and painful time and we need to move forward." |
But she said the lack of co-operation from the US was "very disappointing". | But she said the lack of co-operation from the US was "very disappointing". |
The Ministry of Defence said it was "very sorry for confusion and upset" caused by the delay in releasing video footage taken from the cockpit of the US A-10 plan. | |
The recording was not initially shown to the inquest, but the US authorities only agreed for it to be released after the footage was leaked to the Sun newspaper. | The recording was not initially shown to the inquest, but the US authorities only agreed for it to be released after the footage was leaked to the Sun newspaper. |
An MoD spokesman said a team has been set up to liaise with coroners and bereaved families and to ensure documents are made available quickly to future inquests. | |
Lawyer Geraldine McCool said the verdict did not suggest there would be a prosecution of the US pilot and the Hull family would not be calling for one. | Lawyer Geraldine McCool said the verdict did not suggest there would be a prosecution of the US pilot and the Hull family would not be calling for one. |
'Combat environment' | 'Combat environment' |
Constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman, who met with US diplomats in London ahead of the inquest, said she shared the "frustration" at their failure to send witnesses. | Constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman, who met with US diplomats in London ahead of the inquest, said she shared the "frustration" at their failure to send witnesses. |
The cockpit video 'Friendly fire' transcript | |
"I explained that this was not a criminal court, nobody could be found guilty and sent to prison, it is simply asking questions and requiring answers," she said. | "I explained that this was not a criminal court, nobody could be found guilty and sent to prison, it is simply asking questions and requiring answers," she said. |
In a statement the US defence department described the incident as a "tragic accident". | |
The Hull family believes key information was blacked out of a US Friendly Fire Investigation Board Report given to the coroner investigating his death. | |
But the Pentagon said the US shared all the information from its inquiry with the MoD, except those parts that had to be withheld for "security, privacy or other reasons". | |
"The investigation determined that the incident took place in a complex combat environment, the pilots followed applicable procedures," it said. | "The investigation determined that the incident took place in a complex combat environment, the pilots followed applicable procedures," it said. |
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