A victory for decency

WHEN generous Mail readers financed Alexander Blackman’s appeal, they knew little about the man himself or the hell he had endured in Afghanistan.

All they knew was a British soldier had been hung out to dry for a moment’s appalling aberration on the battlefield, which should never have been called murder.

Today, as ‘Marine A’ speaks about his ordeal for the first time since his release – revealing the pressures he endured, his mortification at being dismissed ‘with disgrace’ and the strength he drew from his wife’s love – his innate decency shines through.

With justice finally done, his conviction reduced to manslaughter and the taint of dishonour revoked, everyone who supported him should be proud.