In the news today there is further follow-up on the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) investigations into actions of British soldiers.
LEGAL ACTION AGAINST BRITISH TROOPS
Reports on investigations into British soldiers accused of unlawfully killing Iraqi civilians are carried widely in the papers again today. The Sun on Sunday takes the angle that only one wrong-doing has been discovered by IHAT in five years. In the Sunday Express a former soldier, who was one of the 280 to receive a letter from IHAT this week, has allegedly written to the paper about his experiences. The Sunday Telegraph quotes an unnamed serving senior Army commander who says he felt compelled to speak out over the damage that years of legal actions and inquiries were doing to the mental health of his men.
The Sunday Telegraph article incorrectly claims that military prosecutors are examining 55 Iraq War deaths, with a view to charging dozens of veterans of the conflict. This number refers to the total unlawful death cases that IHAT has sought advice on during the course of investigations, not the number of cases referred to the Service Prosecution Authority (SPA) for a charging decision. To date, the IHAT has referred two cases to the SPA for a prosecution decision and the SPA decided not to bring charges in both cases.
The MOD’s position on legal action against British troops is as follows:
The vast majority of UK Service personnel deployed on military operations conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with the law.
The MOD takes all allegations of abuse or unlawful killing extremely seriously. That is why we are ensuring that they are investigated to establish the facts.
DEEPCUT
The Sunday Times runs an interview with the father of Deepcut soldier Cheryl James ahead of a second inquest into her death. Mr James is reported as saying that his legal team will finally have the chance to find the truth.
A MOD spokesperson said:
Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Private Cheryl James. The inquest will now be a matter for the coroner, but we will of course continue to cooperate with and provide support to the coroner where needed.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.