Marine Blackman must get royal pardon

Sir, - The release of Royal Marine Alexander Blackman into his wife’s arms after the substitution of a manslaughter conviction in place of one for murder still leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

He should never have been prosecuted for killing a mortally wounded Taliban insurgent on the battlefield.

Fighting against a brutal and barbarous enemy like the Taliban, who have contempt for all civilised norms, is not policing.

And the behaviour of combatants who are psychologically ground down by this type of foe cannot be judged by civilian standards.

That we prosecute a mentally ill soldier in a case such as this, rather than treat him and protect him from prosecution is unjust and a breach of our national duty to care for those who protect us.

Indeed, the epidemic of prosecutions of British service people who have served our country in a whole series of conflicts at home and abroad greatly undermines the security of our country and risks the liberty of each of us.

The politicians, lawyers and military officers who have presided over this bulk travesty of justice should examine their consciences.

Only a royal pardon for Mr Blackman will suffice to do justice and to encourage our young people to come forward to guard us while we sleep.

Picture: Press Association. Royal Marine Alexander Blackman is driven from Erlestoke Prison, Wiltshire, after he had his sentence reduced.