Navy Seal rapped over OBL book

UNITED STATES

THE former Navy Seal who wrote about his part in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden will pay the £5 million he made from the book to the US government for breaching a non-disclosure agreement. Matt Bissonnette penned No Easy Day under the pseudonym Mark Owen, which went on to record huge global sales, but ran into problems after it was revealed he had failed to get it cleared by the US Defence Department first.

He broke protocol by detailing the operation around the al-Qaeda leader’s death during a raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan in May 2011 and subsequent burial at sea.

The publication of the book sparked fury in political circles, a Justice Department-led inquiry and major debate in the US media, all of which helped fuel demand in sales among an eager readership.

But now, after a four-year legal wrangle, he is to forfeit all profits from the book or movie rights to the Pentagon, given four years to pay, and a further £75,000 for using slides not approved by the Pentagon in presentations he gave.

He has forfeited all profits and royalties, as well as film rights and speaking fees, thought to total around £5m so far.

In exchange, the government will dismiss other liability claims against him and, according to Justice Department spokeswoman Nicole Navas, will not discredit his military record.

The deal struck is aimed primarily at reinforcing the message that members of the US armed services must comply with the non-disclosure agreements they sign, especially those tempted down the literary or media routes after their service.

In a statement he apologised, saying he had acted on the incorrect advice of his lawyer. Telling broadcaster CBS News: “It was a serious error that I urge others not to repeat. Although I never intended to endanger my former colleagues, I now recognise that failing to seek prepublication review could place them and their families at greater risk, for which I especially apologise.”