Hundreds of abuse cases lodged by ambulance-chasing law firms against British troops in Iraq are to be dropped

HUNDREDS of abuse cases lodged by ambulance-chasing law firms against British troops in Iraq are set to be dropped.

The controversial probe into service personnel will reveal that “several hundred” allegations will be dismissed “without further investigation”.

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Potential criminal behaviour relating to more than 3,300 different victims has been received by the investigation with more than half being dismissed.

It has emerged that a further tranche of allegations that include unlawful killing or mistreatment will be formally closed within weeks.

The Sun on Sunday can also reveal that a new higher “threshold” test is being applied by the Iraq Historic Allegations Team.

It follows a High Court ruling that allows the Director of Service Personnel to filter the claims that have been submitted by

Public Interest Lawyers and Leigh Day.

If there is no realistic prospect of obtaining sufficient evidence to charge an individual with an offence there is no obligation on IHAT to proceed further.

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Speaking at a Commons’ Defence sub-committee hearing last week, Attorney General Jeremy Wright said: “I am sure that will have an effect on the number of cases that are taken to an extensive investigation and therefore how quickly we can get through the large pile of cases IHAT still have to deal with.”

It emerged this week that the IHAT probe has so far cost £35 million out of its £57.2 million budget and is on course to finish by 2019.

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The probe has so far only resulted in a £3,000 fine for one soldier.

Only 23 soldiers have so far been questioned under caution as a result of claims.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has previously revealed that a “few dozen” cases will be taken seriously.

Tory MP and former soldier Johnny Mercer, who sits on the influential Defence Select Committe, last night said: “We are beginning to see progress on the depth and breadth of the madness that IHAT has been allowed to descend into.

“This investigation should finish a long, long time before the scheduled end date of 2019.”