In defence news this morning, former Defence Minister Nick Harvey tells BBC Radio 5 live he believes the Iraq Historical Allegations Team (IHAT) has lost sight of its focus, while the Daily Mail reports that more than 1,000 compensation claims are being planned against British troops for their role in Iraq.
Compensation claims
The Daily Mail leads with claims that solicitors “hounding” British troops over their role in the Iraq War plan to launch more than 1,000 compensation claims. In an article critical of Public Interest Lawyers (PIL), the paper writes that the firm wants to use the Human Rights Act to seek cash payouts for the families of alleged victims. It says they will pursue the High Court civil claims even in cases where the soldiers are cleared by official investigations and that the taxpayer will pick up the bill. The paper is also critical of the IHAT, reporting that the team has completed just 18 cases in five years out of the 1,500 allegations against Britain’s Iraq veterans – and found just one soldier guilty which resulted in a £3,000 fine. They also write how an accused British soldier can be continually taken through the legal process for the same incident by facing up to five probes.
The story is also reported in The Times and The Sun. The Sun reports that pressure group UK Veterans-One Voice has issued an appeal for a human rights expert to advise veterans being hounded by “ambulance-chasing” law firms free of charge. An MOD spokesperson said:
It is a matter for law firms and their clients to decide whether to make compensation claims. The MOD contests vigorously claims which it does not believe to be valid and does everything appropriate to safeguard the legitimate interests of the taxpayer. The Government is also considering ways to reduce the burden on the armed forces of false claims.
Arms exports
The Independent carries an exclusive which says British defence exports to Saudi Arabia are set to come under parliamentary scrutiny this month with the revival of a cross-party committee on international arms sales. According to its final report in the last parliament, the Committee on Arms Exports Controls questioned why the UK sold weapons and military kit to Saudi. A Government spokesperson said:
We operate one of the most rigorous and transparent arms export control regimes in the world with each licence application assessed on a case by case basis, taking account of all relevant information, to ensure compliance with our legal obligations. No licence is issued if it does not meet these requirements. We regularly raise with Saudi Arabian-led coalition the need to comply with international humanitarian law in Yemen. We monitor the situation carefully and have offered the Saudi authorities advice and training in this area.
Trident
There is widespread coverage in the papers referencing Trident after three Labour frontbenchers suggested they would quit if the party embraces a policy of nuclear disarmament.