MPs Raise Plight Of Army Major Amid Calls To Stop Iraq Investigations

A British Army officer facing an eighth investigation over the death of an Iraqi teenager has had his plight raised in the Commons.

Conservative Leo Docherty (Aldershot) said Major Robert Campbell, of the Royal Engineers, has had to "endure" seven previous inquiries, with the latest seeing him "exonerated" in December 2017.

Mr Docherty raised concerns over Major Campbell's treatment as he urged ministers to stop the "misuse" of taxpayers' cash to fund the Iraq Fatality Investigations (IFI) unit.

The Government-funded body describes itself as investigating evidence in order to make findings about the circumstances in which a death has occurred, and is not concerned with deciding criminal or civil liability.

Major Campbell told the Telegraph that his conduct in 2003 following the death of 19-year-old Said Shabram is subject to further investigation.

He was investigated with two other colleagues after Mr Shabram drowned in a river but the Army Prosecuting Authority did not press charges.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Docherty said of the funding of the IFI:

"It's allowing this unit to pursue soldiers and veterans in a vexatious and spurious manner and it's having a highly detrimental effect on the bond of trust that underpins the relationship between the Government and its soldiers.

"I'd like to call today for the Ministry of Defence to bring to an end its funding of the IFI unit."

Mr Docherty highlighted Major Campbell's case, adding:

"Major Campbell has been cleared, exonerated by all seven inquiries and the most the recent one was at the end of last year - it concluded in December 2017 - and he was exonerated by this inquiry and the Service Prosecuting Authority decided no charges should be brought about.

"Some of the inquiries he's had to endure also involve the now defunct and utterly diminished IHAT (Iraq Historic Allegations Team), which brought about a series of inquiries driven by the discredited lawyer Phil Shiner.

"Given that the Government quite rightly acted to close IHAT it's very unfortunate that it seems to be born again in the form of the Iraq Fatality Investigations unit.

"So for this vexatious and spurious hounding of veterans and soldiers, with the use of taxpayers' money is entirely unacceptable and I think it represents a betrayal of their commitment to their country."

Last week, MP for Plymouth Moor View Johnny Mercer tweeted:

"This is not acceptable now, as it wasn't when we were getting rid of IHAT.

"I do not accept that the UK Government cannot protect its soldiers from experiences like this. If we have to go again, we will go again."