FBI gives new evidence to Oklahoma bomber's defence team

The FBI has turned over thousands of documents from the Oklahoma City bombing investigation to Timothy McVeigh's defence team.

An FBI source said that an initial review has indicated that it was an accidental error and not an attempt to thwart McVeigh's defence.

An attorney said the material may now form the basis for a stay of execution request.

McVeigh is scheduled to be executed in six days time for the bombing of the Alfred R Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995, which killed 168 people.

The documents were used in a separate trial involving McVeigh's co-defendant Terry Nichols.

The mistake was discovered as the bureau was gathering up documents for archiving, and include evidence such as interview reports from the early investigation.

CBS News, which first reported the foul-up, said that about 200 documents had been withheld.

McVeigh's lawyer Nathan Chambers, said after the documents were delivered to his office in Denver: "We're considering all our options."

Mr Chambers declined to say whether they would be favourable to an appeal by McVeigh, adding: "If it becomes an issue, the courts will deal with it."

McVeigh has admitted to the bombing and has ordered his lawyers not to appeal his conviction or death sentence.