Cameron defends marines after murder conviction

THE Prime Minister has insisted the conviction of a Royal Marine for the murder of an Afghan insurgent should not “besmirch” the regiment.

Marine A who has not been identified was convicted of the shooting of the unknown man in 2011 and faces a mandatory life sentence.

Addressing members of the regiment at Downing Street ahead of Remembrance Day, David Cameron said the “appalling” case in no way represented the spirit of the Royal Marines.

He said the regiment had “one of the proudest histories of any in the world”.

He added “We should not let that single incident besmirch the incredible work the Royal Marines have done over centuries.”

Marine A will be sentenced to minimum term next month.

Major General Julian Thompson, who led 3 Commando Brigade during the Falklands War, called for leniency to be shown.

He said: “I understand that he’s quite an experienced guy.

“People are talking about him being battle hardened and therefore there is no excuse.

“Well actually it’s the other way round, the more times you do tours in that filthy war, the more pressure there is on you.

“I hope that his behaviour and the fact he truly regrets what he did would be taken into account when the time comes.”

Military commentator Colonel Mike Dewar also called for clemency.

He said: “These soldiers have had their officer killed their platoon commander, a very fine young man they had seen their friends brutalised, lost legs, they had been under the pressures of battle for weeks and months.”

Two other marines were cleared after the trial at the Military Court Centre in Bulford, Wiltshire.

An anonymity order was granted last year to protect the three men from reprisals.

The murder took place after a patrol base in Helmand Province came under attack from small arms fire from two insurgents.

The Afghan prisoner had been seriously injured by gunfire from an Apache helicopter and the marines found him in a field.

It is the first time a British serviceman has faced a murder charge related to the conflict in Afghanistan.

Marine A told the court martial he thought the insurgent was already dead but admitted he’d fired due to “poor judgement and lack of self-control”.