This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6967982.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US troops 'won't attend inquests' | US troops 'won't attend inquests' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US will continue to refuse requests for its personnel to appear at inquests into the "friendly fire" deaths of British troops, a report says. | The US will continue to refuse requests for its personnel to appear at inquests into the "friendly fire" deaths of British troops, a report says. |
| The MoD has sent written guidance to coroners across England and Wales over the holding of military inquests. | The MoD has sent written guidance to coroners across England and Wales over the holding of military inquests. |
| According to the Times, its letter says the US "confirms categorically" it will not provide witnesses for inquests. | According to the Times, its letter says the US "confirms categorically" it will not provide witnesses for inquests. |
| It comes six days after three British soldiers were killed by US "friendly fire" in southern Afghanistan. | It comes six days after three British soldiers were killed by US "friendly fire" in southern Afghanistan. |
| The Times reports that the letter to coroners states: "The US have confirmed categorically that they will not provide witnesses to attend UK inquests. | The Times reports that the letter to coroners states: "The US have confirmed categorically that they will not provide witnesses to attend UK inquests. |
| 'FRIENDLY FIRE' DEATHS Pte Aaron McClure and Pte Robert Foster, both 19, and Pte John Thrumble, 21, killed on 24 August in HelmandUS fighter plane dropped a 500lb (227kg) bomb on their patrolThe only other suspected "friendly fire" death of British service personnel in Afghanistan still under investigationSince 2001 73 UK troops have been killed on operations in Afghanistan | 'FRIENDLY FIRE' DEATHS Pte Aaron McClure and Pte Robert Foster, both 19, and Pte John Thrumble, 21, killed on 24 August in HelmandUS fighter plane dropped a 500lb (227kg) bomb on their patrolThe only other suspected "friendly fire" death of British service personnel in Afghanistan still under investigationSince 2001 73 UK troops have been killed on operations in Afghanistan |
| "While coroners may continue to ask for US witnesses to attend... they should be aware that there will in all cases be a refusal." | "While coroners may continue to ask for US witnesses to attend... they should be aware that there will in all cases be a refusal." |
| Fighter planes | Fighter planes |
| The three soldiers who died on Thursday were Privates Aaron McClure and Robert Foster, both 19, and John Thrumble, 21, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. | The three soldiers who died on Thursday were Privates Aaron McClure and Robert Foster, both 19, and John Thrumble, 21, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. |
| They had been on patrol in Helmand province when US fighter planes dropped a 500lb bomb, killing them and injuring two other soldiers. The US State Department is investigating the deaths. | They had been on patrol in Helmand province when US fighter planes dropped a 500lb bomb, killing them and injuring two other soldiers. The US State Department is investigating the deaths. |
| In March, Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker was critical of the failure of the US authorities to co-operate at the inquest of Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull. | In March, Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker was critical of the failure of the US authorities to co-operate at the inquest of Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull. |
| L/Cpl Hull, 25, died when a US pilot fired on his convoy in Iraq in 2003. No American witnesses gave evidence at the inquest. | L/Cpl Hull, 25, died when a US pilot fired on his convoy in Iraq in 2003. No American witnesses gave evidence at the inquest. |
| L/CPL MATTY HULL L/Cpl Matty Hull, 25, was killed in Iraq on 28 March 2003, when he came under fire from US A-10 "Tank Buster" planeOxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker concluded in March 2007 the attack on Hull's tank was criminalAmerican authorities criticised for lack of cooperation with inquestSun newspaper published a transcript of a cockpit video it obtained of the attack in FebruaryAt the start of the attack, pilot notices orange panels on the vehicles Pilot asks if "friendly" units are in areaHe is assured are no coalition forces in areaPilots open fire but soon the error is realised | |
| The coroner said at the time: "I find the decision of the US authorities not to allow the relevant persons to attend to give evidence, or to themselves provide full transcripts of questions those people were asked during the Friendly Fire Investigation Board, hard to understand." | The coroner said at the time: "I find the decision of the US authorities not to allow the relevant persons to attend to give evidence, or to themselves provide full transcripts of questions those people were asked during the Friendly Fire Investigation Board, hard to understand." |
| The Ministry of Defence said the letter to coroners did not mark a change of position. | The Ministry of Defence said the letter to coroners did not mark a change of position. |
| A spokesman said: "The MoD remains committed to supporting the work of every UK coroner. Indeed the Wiltshire coroner praised the level of support he received from us. | A spokesman said: "The MoD remains committed to supporting the work of every UK coroner. Indeed the Wiltshire coroner praised the level of support he received from us. |
| "Both the US and UK work together to investigate the circumstances surrounding friendly fire incidents and their findings are made available to the coroner, as national and operational security and data protection allow. | "Both the US and UK work together to investigate the circumstances surrounding friendly fire incidents and their findings are made available to the coroner, as national and operational security and data protection allow. |
| "The MoD does all that it can to assist the coroner during inquests and liaises with the US government to facilitate requests for information." | "The MoD does all that it can to assist the coroner during inquests and liaises with the US government to facilitate requests for information." |