British troops’ torment nears end as more than 1,000 ‘Iraq abuse’ claims to be thrown out after collapse of “tank-chasing” firm
Soldiers' torment could be over within the next three months after the collapse of a 'tank-chasing' law firm
MORE than 1,000 cases of alleged abuse by British troops in Iraq will be dismissed within the next three months after the collapse of a “tank-chasing” law firm.
Figures released by the controversial Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) team estimate by January their case load is expected to drop from around 1,500 to round 250.
His lawyers lodged scores of cases with the £57m probe, many of which turned out to be baseless.
Despite the good news, IHAT confirmed their work would continue until 2019.
A spokesman said: “We expect by early January 2017 to have reduced the number of investigations to around 250.
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“By Jan 2018, all pre-investigative work will have been concluded and all cases left will be at investigation stage.
“It is too early to accurately forecast figures but by mid-2018 we expect to have around 50 cases at investigation.
“You will therefore appreciate that we anticipate some significant progress on the allegations in the next few weeks.”
On the collapse of PIL, a spokesman said once a case is lodged with IHAT it must be considered.
But officials were now talking to the Legal Aid Agency for information, which could expose allegations which were not credible.
Former Army officer turned MP, Johnny Mercer, who has campaigned for an end to the witch hunt, called the legal nightmare Britain’s, “dirty little secret.”
He said: “It's becoming clear that the post-Iraq quasi-judicial processes employed by the UK Government that have ruined lives and created profound resentment in the generation of young men and women we asked to fight that war, is perhaps just the start.
“We must not emasculate our Armed Forces on operations by asking our fighting troops to adhere to European Human rights law, designed in good faith for civilian life in Europe
Tory MP, Johnny Mercer
“This betrayal has to end. The Prime Minister is a strong advocate for our Armed Forces.
“But she needs to grasp that our attitude towards looking after this Afghanistan, Iraq generation of servicemen and women will define this Nation’s relationship with its Military for the next fifty years.
“We must not emasculate our Armed Forces on operations by asking our fighting troops to adhere to European Human rights law, designed in good faith for civilian life in Europe.
“To continue ask our troops to do so belies a fundamental, deep and profound misunderstanding of combat; it creates a gaping chasm between those who serve and their political masters.
“It looks incompetent; and it is."
They will seek a Judicial Review at the High Court if the MoD does not provide a better system of care for those ensnared by IHAT.
Their demands include free, independent legal advice.
A second probe into allegations of wrongdoing during the Afghan campaign - codenamed Operation Northmoor - is ongoing too, but has made no arrests and has interviewed less than five people under caution.
It is investigating around 550 allegations of abuse.
Hefty legal bill burden
TROOPS facing abuse claims from Iraq and Afghanistan may have to pay lawyers.
Those with a disposable income of more than £12,475 a year will not qualify for full legal aid.
And higher-ranked soldiers with above £37,500 will have to pay all their legal costs, which could run into the tens of thousands of pounds.
Campaigners called the move “outrageous and penny-pinching”.
Military law experts said the money could be taken from troops’ wages in advance in five monthly instalments.
An MoD spokeswoman said: “If their case is referred to trial, they’re eligible to apply for support and our legal aid body would ensure they receive what they are entitled to.”