'Israeli sniper must face murder charge'

The devastated family of peace activist Tom Hurndall are demanding the Israeli sniper accused of shooting him be charged with murder.

Jocelyn and Anthony Hurndall, from Tufnell Park, say they will fight any attempts by the Israeli authorities to charge the marksman with manslaughter following the death of the 22-year-old British student last week.

"There's no question, the soldier knew he was shooting to kill," said family spokesman Carl Arrindell today.

Mr Hurndall, a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement in the Gaza Strip, had been in a coma for nine months since he was shot by Sergeant Idier Wahid Taysir at the Rafa refugee camp as he shepherded Palestinian children across a road.

Taysir has admitted trying to cover up his actions by asking his commander's permission to shoot an "armed man" after he fired the fatal shot.