The judge in the inquest into the deaths of seven British men killed in the 2013 Algerian hostage crisis has begun giving his verdicts.
The judge in the inquest into the deaths of seven British men killed in the 2013 Algerian hostage crisis has returned verdicts that they were "unlawfully killed".
Returning his first verdict, Recorder of London Judge Nicholas Hilliard said Paul Morgan, 46, from Liverpool, was unlawfully killed by extremist gunfire.
Returning his first verdict, Recorder of London Judge Nicholas Hilliard said he hoped the families of the men would "gain some comfort" from the inquest.
On 16 January 2013, gunmen linked to al-Qaeda attacked the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria, taking staff hostage.
On 16 January 2013, gunmen linked to al-Qaeda attacked the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria, taking staff hostage.
Over three days, 40 staff and at least 29 militants were killed.
In all 40 staff and 29 militants died.
Returning his verdict at the end of the 30-day inquest at the Old Bailey in London, Judge Hilliard ruled:
Gunmen began the assault before dawn, taking numerous hostages and killing some workers, but the Algerian army regained control of the plant on 19 January.
Gunmen began the assault before dawn, taking numerous hostages and killing some workers, but the Algerian army regained control of the plant on 19 January.
There were about 130 foreign staff at the plant at the time of the attack.
There were about 130 foreign staff at the plant at the time of the attack.
The inquest heard that Mr Morgan, an ex-Foreign Legion soldier, had worked at In Amenas for some time and was experienced.
At 05:30 on the morning of the attack, Mr Morgan had been in the lead security vehicle of a convoy of buses carrying staff, Judge Hilliard said.
The driver of the vehicle said that as the convoy approached the gate to exit the compound, shots were fired, the coroner said.
Mr Morgan was hit by two bullets and shot through the head, he added.
The inquest heard that either shot would have been fatal.
Judge Hilliard recorded a verdict that Paul Morgan was killed by "terrorist gunfire" at 05:47 at In Amenas, and that he was unlawfully killed.
'Security breached'
The inquest heard that shortly before 06:00, a bullet hit a power line, cutting electricity to the plant.
A 4x4 Toyota vehicle carrying six armed militants was seen approaching, and one gunman got out and pushed the barrier to the compound up with ease, Mr Hilliard said.
"It's clear the security and living area had been breached quickly by the terrorists," he said.
"A terrorist was seen with a list of names and room numbers.
"The fact there was inside knowledge is backed up by the Algerian government" he said.
Additional security arrived to fight the attackers shortly after - but they were wearing casual clothing, which may have been "misleading", the Old Bailey heard.
The Algerian military arrived by about 06:30, Judge Hilliard said.
A firefight ensued in which a Norwegian worker was shot but managed to crawl to safety, he added.
Safety questions
The inquest at the Old Bailey has heard 70 witnesses over 30 days.
Over the course of the inquest, questions have been asked about site security at the site, and the response of the Algerian forces, the coroner said.
The plant was operated by three companies: Sonatreke, BP and Statoil.
Mr Morgan was part of a team that had carried out a six-monthly safety audit of the site, Mr Hilliard said.
The most recent security plan, carried out in January 2013, had recognised that an attack by extremists was a real risk, he said.
Guards were told not to challenge intruders but to report the intrusion, he said.
Perimeter barriers could simply be "driven round" and a manually operated sliding gate was often left open, the inquest heard.
It also heard that staff employed by BP did not receive any hostile environment training and security drills were rare.
