"awful awful news" said the BBC correspondent around 7:30. Likely to have a "devastating" effect on morale - an RAF plane has been shot down by an American missile.
They could not even name the type of plane in a clumsy attempt to hide behind security restrictions.
The senior researcher for the RUSI (Royal United Services Institute - the most prestigious UK military think tank) said with tight lips, that he could not comment directly on the effect on morale, but "imagine if you an RAF pilot just getting into your plane for the next run...." The coalition of the good and willing has had "friendly" fire before but involving pockets of soldiers. Coming on top of the succession of accidents with helicopters this could lead to serious calls in Parliament for the withdrawal of troops already within a few days of Blair securing a majority, completely undermine the arguments in the UK that we must suspend protests in support of "our" troops.
Chris Burford London
