Ex-Navy Seal who fired the fatal bullet reveals Osama died like a coward

USA: Rob O'Neill, who some suggest fired the fatal bullet that ended bin Laden's reign, said: "He died afraid. And he knew that we were there to kill him"

Osama bin Laden "died a coward according to a former Navy seal present at the time of his death.

Rob O'Neill, who is now a motivational speaker, reportedly claimed to have fired the fatal shot that hit bin Laden in the forehead in Pakistan three years ago.

For the first time he has shared the details of bin Laden's killing with relatives of 9/11 victims.

He explained to CNN that although he doesn't ever include the assassination in his speeches, he will break his silence in certain circumstances.

"When I'm out speaking, I never mention the bin Laden mission," he said.

"But any time anyone says, 'You know my brother died at Cantor Fitzgerald', one thing I tell them is, 'All right, Osama bin Laden died like a coward. That's all I'm telling you. Just so you know."

"He died afraid. And he knew that we were there to kill him."

The ex-Navy seal explained his version of events in a televised interview on Friday.

But since Rob waived anonymity, others who were present claim the terrorist was killed by one of two other men who entered bin Laden's house before O'Neill.

It was three years ago that the al-Qaeda leader's house, in Abbottabad, Pakistan, was stormed by members of the US Navy SEAL commando team.

O’Neill, however, now faces being shunned by former colleagues because he has broken their strict code of secrecy.

Seals’ head Rear Admiral Brian Losey has hit out at former members who betray the unit by seeking “public notoriety and financial gain”.

In a letter to all seals he emphasised the secret nature of the service and added: “I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions.”

He has even threatened legal action against any Seal who discloses classified information and puts future operations at risk.