Ex-human rights lawyer Phil Shiner denies fraud charges over Iraq War claims

Former human rights lawyer Phil Shiner has denied fraud charges linked to claims made against Iraq War veterans.

The 65-year-old boss of now-defunct Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) appeared in front of Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link and denied three counts of fraud which were brought following a five-year National Crime Agency investigation.

He appeared on a screen in court and spoke to give his name, age, and address and said "not guilty, sir" as the charges were put to him.

He was released on bail to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 27 July.

Shiner is facing two charges of dishonestly failing to disclose information relating to a legal aid claim over an application for a judicial review of the Ministry of Defence's decision not to hold an independent inquiry into the death of 19-year-old Hamid Al-Sweady.