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Added security after ‘friendly fire’ CD leaked
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| KILLED: Lance Corporal Matty Hull of the Blues and Royals |
THE Ministry of Defence says security procedures will be tightened up after an official report found that eight copies were made of "friendly fire" video footage showing an attack which killed Matty Hull in Iraq, and the footage ended up with a national newspaper.
Lance Corporal of Horse Matthew Hull, 25, served with the Blues and Royals, House-hold Cavalry Regiment, based in Windsor and had been married to Sue for two years.
The British soldier, who had been schooled in Gillingham and grew up in neighbouring East Knoyle, died in March 2003 when US pilots opened fire on the British armed vehicle convoy in southern Iraq.
Initially the US government said it would not release the cockpit video, but backed down and the footage was used at the inquest into Lance Corporal Hull's death.
In a written answer to Liam Fox, defence secretary Des Browne said the joint army and RAF investigation report into the unauthorised disclosure found the CD was classified "Secret - US Government Property - Protect from unauthorised disclosure".
He said eight copies were made of the CD. There should have been no unauthorised access or disclosure and a proper audit trail should have been maintained.
Copies were made and used for various purposes including use by the Board of Inquiry, to help with briefing for deploying pilots and forward air controllers, and to assist studies into friendly fire incidents.
But Des Browne admitted: "Unfortunately, it has not been possible to identify how many individuals have had possession of a copy of the recording."
Mr Fox said that as a result of failures identified, remedial action was being taken.
The Permanent Secretary has asked the chain of command to consider whether administrative or disciplinary action against any individual is appropriate.
An MoD spokesman said: "A new security education programme is being introduced as part of a wider security awareness campaign to ensure that those involved in the handling of classified and sensitive material are aware of the rules and procedures to be followed."
7:00pm Thursday 15th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Alan Gilbert, Bearwood on 10:44pm Thu 15 May 08
Are we to infer that the MoD are more concerned about unauthorised leakages than about the "friendly fire" ?
Maybe a re-examination of their priorities is overdue.
Are we to infer that the MoD are more concerned about unauthorised leakages than about the "friendly fire" ?
Maybe a re-examination of their priorities is overdue.
Posted by: seafrontpatroller, Beach Hut on 11:24pm Thu 15 May 08
Perhaps the full details of this incident would never have come to light if it wasn't leaked to a national newspaper. Whitewash or failed cover up.....I can't make my mind up
Perhaps the full details of this incident would never have come to light if it wasn't leaked to a national newspaper. Whitewash or failed cover up.....I can't make my mind up
Posted by: Charlie on 8:44am Fri 16 May 08
The family, at least, have the right to know all the cirumstances under which Matty was killed. I'm always suspicious of anything kept secret.
The family, at least, have the right to know all the cirumstances under which Matty was killed. I'm always suspicious of anything kept secret.
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