since it was a civilian vehicle, had stopped and turned around to pick up survivors, and was facing away from the US tanks.

He said: "If the vehicle was perceived as a threat, it would have been fired on before it did a U-turn. This would have resulted in damage to the front of the vehicle.

"I have no doubt it was the fact that the vehicle stopped to pick up survivors that prompted the Americans to fire on that vehicle."

A spokesman for the Attorney General, who explained he could not comment further about the case, said: "We await the letter from the coroner."

David Mannion, the editor in chief of ITN, said the company would fully support Mr Lloyd's family to "bring those responsible for Terry's death to account beforea court of law".

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Mannion said: "All of us want and need to know the truth. Terry Lloyd was killed in an unlawful act by a US Marine who fired directly at the civilian minibus in which Terry, already badly injured, lay helpless.

"But we do not know the identity of the Marine who shot him.

"ITN therefore fully supports the Lloyd family in their pursuit of justice and we welcome the coroner's decision to write to the Attorney General and the DPP in an effort to bring those responsible for Terry's death to account before a court of law."

Mr Mannion added: "I would also like to say something that I know Terry would have wished me to say. Independent, unilateral reporting, free from official strictures,