Outlining the arguments orally, Mr Clegg said the "improper pressure" came when Mr Winter told Sgt Nightingale what the original trial judge - Assistant Judge Advocate General Alistair McGrigor - "was saying".

BBC: Sally and Danny Nightingale

Major General MICHAEL NARDOTTI JR. (Former Judge Advocate General): The president, as the commander-in-chief, can enter into an agreement.

NPR: U.S., Iraq Ponder Long-Term Treaty

This allows counsel to get "actively involved in cases at the earliest stages, defense counsel have successfully negotiated non-punitive dispositions of cases that otherwise may have been disposed of at courts-martial, " according to the Report of the Judge Advocate General for Fiscal Year 2005.

FORBES: A Few Bad Men