War journalist inquest to begin

Terry Lloyd, a veteran war reporter

An inquest is to begin into the death of Terry Lloyd, an ITN reporter who died while covering the war in Iraq.

The 51-year-old was killed on a road to Basra in southern Iraq in March 2003.

His colleagues were also caught in the crossfire, but French cameraman Fred Nerac and Lebanese translator Hussein Osman are still classed as missing.

An ITN spokeswoman said it was hoped the week-long inquest at Oxford's Old Assizes would help shed more light on the events.

Mr Lloyd began his career in the Midlands before joining ITN in 1983.

'Difficult time'

He went on to become one of the most experienced journalists in the network, taking on assignments in Lebanon and Cambodia, as well as an award-winning stint in Kosovo.

His funeral was held in Cuddington, Buckinghamshire, in April 2003.

ITN issued a statement on behalf of his family asking the media to respect their privacy.

It read: "Although we welcome the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Terry, we hope the media will understand that this will be a very difficult time for us."

Mr Lloyd was survived by his wife Lynn, and two children, Chelsey and Oliver.