'MARINE A'WAR CRIME STORM

Backlash as general condemns killer sergeant

- SEAN RAYMENT

A STORM has erupted after the head of the Royal Marines branded one of his men a war criminal for killing a wounded Taliban gunman.

Lt Gen Rob Magowan, Commandant General of the Royal Marines, said it was a "shocking and appalling" war crime.

It is believed to be the first time a serving senior officer has used the term to describe the shooting by Sgt Alexander Blackman - known as Marine A.

Lt Gen Magowan wrote to members of his Corps to mark the anniversary of the killing, which he said had fractured moral cohesion within the Royal Marines.