News publishers are challenging the government to release a video showing a British Royal Marine killing an Iraqi insurgent, despite fears it could be a propaganda “gift” to terrorists.

The Guardian, BBC, ITN, Times Newspapers and Sky are all calling for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to release the video in the interests of open justice, with the matter set for a court hearing at a later date after MoD papers were submitted late.

Sgt Alexander Wayne Blackman, 42, was convicted of murder at a court martial in 2013 and sentenced to life in prison, serving a minimum term of ten years, since reduced to eight on appeal.