Trooper to be cleared of 'murder'

The first member of the British armed forces to face a murder charge over post-war operations in Iraq was expected to be cleared today.

Trooper Kevin Williams, 21, of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, was accused of killing Iraqi lawyer Hassan Abbad Said, a father of nine, near Basra on 3 August 2003.

The Iraqi was suspected of smuggling anti-aircraft shells to insurgents in a handcart.

General Sir Antony Walker, 70, Williams's former regimental commander, today insisted the trooper opened fire believing Said was reaching for a gun. "He acted in a professional manner to protect his colleague in a most dangerous situation," he told the Sun.

Williams, from Burnley, Lancs, faced a life sentence if convicted. But an official announcement is expected today after Director of Public Prosecutions Ken MacDonald ruled there was no case to answer.