Lawyers for Iraqis who accused brave squaddies of war crimes ‘knew allegations could be untrue’
Tank chasing law firm Leigh Day claimed British soldiers in Iraq had murdered and tortured
LAWYERS who made war crime allegations against UK troops knew their clients may be “murderous” Iraqi militia who were lying, a tribunal heard.
Martyn Day, sent a private email to a solicitor saying: “It could of course be argued they are Mahdi Army who have concocted this story.”
Mr Day, of law firm Leigh Day, later called a press conference to get “maximum publicity” by claiming British soldiers in Iraq had murdered and tortured.
At the time Leigh Day had a list proving those detained by UK troops were not innocent bystanders but insurgents who ambushed the soldiers, the tribunal heard. If the claims had been properly investigated their dubious nature would have been obvious, the hearing was told. The anguish caused to falsely accused soldiers during a five-year war crimes inquiry would have been avoided.
Mr Day and lawyers Sapna Malik and Anna Crowther deny misconduct. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing continues.
