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Para 'probably shot by own side' VC para 'killed by friendly fire'
(30 minutes later)
A 29-year-old paratrooper awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross was for his bravery in Afghanistan was killed by "friendly fire", a coroner has ruled. A 29-year-old paratrooper awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his bravery in Afghanistan was killed by "friendly fire", a coroner has heard.
Corporal Bryan Budd, from Ripon, North Yorks, received the award for his leadership of an assault on a Taleban position in Afghanistan in 2006.Corporal Bryan Budd, from Ripon, North Yorks, received the award for his leadership of an assault on a Taleban position in Afghanistan in 2006.
His inquest in Oxford was told that he was probably killed by a Nato weapon of the kind used by British troops. His inquest in Oxford heard that he was "most likely" killed by a Nato weapon.
The Victoria Cross is the military's highest accolade. Ballistics expert Ed Wallace said fragments of the bullet which killed him were of the calibre used by Nato.
The Victoria Cross is Britain's highest accolade for courage in battle.
Cpl Budd was the first soldier to receive it posthumously since the Falklands War almost a quarter of a century ago.Cpl Budd was the first soldier to receive it posthumously since the Falklands War almost a quarter of a century ago.
Lone assaultLone assault
Cpl Budd, of the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died saving seven comrades during a fierce firefight in Sangin, Helmand Province, in August 2006. From the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, he died saving seven comrades during a fierce firefight in Sangin, Helmand Province, in August 2006.
He had continued the assault alone, despite his wounds, after heavy fire forced his colleagues to take cover.He had continued the assault alone, despite his wounds, after heavy fire forced his colleagues to take cover.
His body was later found surrounded by those of three Taleban fighters. He died from a shot to the abdomen.His body was later found surrounded by those of three Taleban fighters. He died from a shot to the abdomen.
Tragically, acting in the highest traditions of the Parachute Regiment, he made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down his life Lorena Budd, widowTragically, acting in the highest traditions of the Parachute Regiment, he made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down his life Lorena Budd, widow
Ballistics expert Ed Wallace told the inquest at Oxford Coroner's Court that tests on the bullet which killed Cpl Budd showed they were from 5.56 calibre ammunition, which is used in rifles and machine guns issued to British troops. Mr Wallace told the inquest at Oxford Coroner's Court that tests on the bullet fragments showed they were from 5.56 calibre ammunition, which is used in rifles and machine guns issued to British troops.
But he said that further tests on the 24 weapons used by Cpl Budd's comrades had failed to establish if any of them had fired the fatal shot.But he said that further tests on the 24 weapons used by Cpl Budd's comrades had failed to establish if any of them had fired the fatal shot.
After hearing the evidence, Assistant Deputy Coroner for Oxfordshire Andrew Walker asked: "In summary, I can be satisfied on the balance of probability that this was a Nato 5.56 projectile fired from a Nato weapon?"After hearing the evidence, Assistant Deputy Coroner for Oxfordshire Andrew Walker asked: "In summary, I can be satisfied on the balance of probability that this was a Nato 5.56 projectile fired from a Nato weapon?"
Mr Wallace replied: "Yes, that's the most likely cause."Mr Wallace replied: "Yes, that's the most likely cause."
A month before he died, Cpl Budd led another attack on two gunmen on the roof of a building to allow a wounded colleague to be evacuated for life-saving treatment.A month before he died, Cpl Budd led another attack on two gunmen on the roof of a building to allow a wounded colleague to be evacuated for life-saving treatment.
His widow Lorena Budd accepted the Victoria Cross for her husband's two acts of "exceptional valour" from the Queen in December 2006.His widow Lorena Budd accepted the Victoria Cross for her husband's two acts of "exceptional valour" from the Queen in December 2006.
Mrs Budd said at the time: "Tragically, acting in the highest traditions of the Parachute Regiment, he made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down his life."Mrs Budd said at the time: "Tragically, acting in the highest traditions of the Parachute Regiment, he made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down his life."
Cpl Budd left two daughters, Isabelle, two, and Imogen, who was born shortly after his death.Cpl Budd left two daughters, Isabelle, two, and Imogen, who was born shortly after his death.
The inquest continues.