Today’s Defence news includes reporting on investment in RAF jets and a High Court ruling against law firms alleging unlawful killing and ill-treatment by British forces.
Iraq High Court ruling
The Times, the Daily Mail, The Sun and The Guardian report that a High Court judge has ruled that Public Interest Lawyers (PIL), a law firm acting for Iraqi civilians who allege unlawful killing and ill-treatment by British forces, misled a court and failed to observe essential ethical standards. The articles include comments from Mr Justice Leggat who said that PIL had also put the MOD to the trouble and expense of dealing with a claim for which there was no sound basis. The referral of the legal firm to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over its role in the Al-Sweady inquiry is also referenced.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
These are extremely serious findings which warrant further investigation from the regulator. Everyday, our armed forces show bravery and dedication in difficult circumstances. They shouldn’t be subject to unfounded legal claims and we are bringing forward a package of measures to ensure they aren’t.
BAE Systems deal
There are articles in The Telegraph, The Sun and the Daily Mailabout a new contract between the MOD and BAE Systems to deliver engineering and training facilities for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force’s fleet of F35 jets. The contracts, which amount to £167 million in total and will create 300 new jobs, will allow for the addition of maintenance, training and logistics facilities RAF Marham in East Anglia, all of which will be dedicated to the next-generation fighter aircraft.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
The F-35 is the most advanced combat aircraft in the world. Whether operating from land or our two new aircraft carriers, they will ensure we have a formidable fighting force. They are part of our plan for stronger and better defence, backed by a budget that will this week rise for the first time in six years, and keep rising until the end of the decade.
The announcement was made yesterday, the full story can be found here.
Yemen
The Daily Mail carries a short article quoting Vice News and Reprieve which says UK Special Forces have been helping the US to carry out drone attacks in Yemen for six years. While it is a longstanding Government policy not to comment on Special Forces activity a Foreign Office spokesperson said:
We have previously provided counter-terrorism capacity building support to the Yemeni Security Services to increase their ability to disrupt, detain and prosecute suspected terrorists in line with Yemeni rule of law and international human rights standards. Following the suspension of Embassy operations in Sana’a in February 2015 we suspended this activity. We continue to work with regional and international partners to tackle the threat posed by terrorist organisations including AQAP and Daesh-Yemen and to build regional capacity on counter terrorism. For operational reasons we cannot comment in detail on this activity.
Working Dogs
There is coverage in the Daily Telegraph, The Star and The Express of the special protective equipment worn by military working dogs on exercise in Jordan.
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