PM backs Marines after murder

The Labour leader Ed Miliband has said he does not believe the conviction of a Royal Marine for the murder of an Afghan insurgent has diminished the reputation of the armed forces.

He said: "When any incident like that happens, it is tragic and it must be dealt with.

"But what is really important is to know and to realise what our armed forces are and who our armed forces are and they are brave, decent, honourable people who do the right thing for our country."

"I think that's what the British people know....it doesn't change the esteem in which our armed forces are held.

Read: Marine convicted of 'execution' of injured Afghan

The Afghan Ministry of Defence has welcomed the murder conviction of a Royal Marines Commando who executed a seriously injured Afghan insurgent, saying it "brings faith to the people".

A statement from the Afghan MOD read: "We are welcoming the decision of British government. It bring the faith to the people and shows the implementation of law on ever one."

The experienced sergeant, referred to as Marine A, was convicted of the murder yesterday and will be sentenced on 6 December.

The Deputy Commandant General of the Royal Marines condemned the killing as "a truly shocking and appalling aberration".

Read: PM: Afghan murder should not 'besmirch' the Marines

Prime Minister David Cameron has said that the conviction of a Royal Marine for murdering an injured Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan should not "besmirch" the organisation's proud history

Speaking on the steps of Downing Street to a group of serving and former Royal Marines raising funds for the Commando 999 charity, he said:

"That in no way represents the spirit and the history of the Royal Marines, an outfit that has one of the proudest histories of any in the world.

"We should not let that single incident besmirch the incredible work the Royal Marines have done, not only over decades but over centuries."

Read: Marine convicted of 'execution' of injured Afghan fighter

A distinguished Royal Marines general who led British forces to victory in the Falklands has called for clemency after a marine was found guilty of murdering an Afghan insurgent.

Major-General Julian Thompson told The Times that life imprisonment for the soldier, known as Marine A, would be too harsh.

He said: “Obviously it was wrong and everyone in the Royal Marines is quite clear about that.

“The Royal Marines are a family and it feels as though a member of the family has transgressed.

“I am sad for the man who did it, in that he probably had a moment of stupidity. I feel for him as I would my own son who might do something stupid.", he added.

He suggested a five-year term would be more appropriate for a crime committed in the pressure of war.

Read: Marine guilty of Afghan murder

The murder of an injured Afghan fighter by a Royal Marine has raised concerns about the pressures our armed services face on the frontline.

Could it have played a part or in some way explain the experienced commando's actions?

ITV News Correspondent Neil Connery put that question to a panel of experts in legal, military and mental health matters, who discuss the impact of the killing.

A commando in the Royal Marines has been convicted of the shameful killing of an injured Afghan fighter, described as "an execution" by his prosecutors.

Still images and audio recordings from the murder, recorded on another marine's helmet camera, have been released.

Brigadier Bill Dunham, Deputy Commandant General of the Royal Marines, condemned the incident as "a truly shocking and appalling aberration".

Two other marines, who also faced murder charges, were acquitted.

ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers reports:

Some viewers may find images and words in the report disturbing.

The murder of an Afghan insurgent by a Royal Marine was not "consistent" with the Ministry of Defence's ethos, values and standards, said Brigadier Bill Dunham, Deputy Commandant General Royal Marines.

In a statement released by the MoD, Brigadier Dunham added:

Brigadier Bill Dunham, Deputy Commandant General of the Royal Marines has said the murder of an Afghan soldier by a marine was "a truly shocking and appalling aberration".

In a statement released by the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier Dunham said: "It should not have happened and it should never happen again".

There were gasps from relatives in the public gallery as the verdicts were returned at the court martial of three marines.

Judge Blackett told Marine A: "This court has found you guilty of murder. The mandatory sentence prescribed by law is imprisonment for life.

"This court now has to determine the minimum term you will serve before you are eligible for release. To help us do that, I am going to order that a report be prepared. I am adjourning this case until a later date.

"In the meantime, I direct that you are to be taken into custody."

Addressing the other two defendants, the judge added: "Marine B and Marine C, you have been found not guilty of murder and you are now free to return to your normal place of duties."The issue of anonymity will be decided at a later date."