MPs Expected To Call For Iraq Abuse Inquiry Replacement

MPs are expected to call for the immediate scrapping of a government investigation into allegations of abuse by British armed forces in Iraq.

A report by a Defence Sub-Committee will reportedly say that the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) should be replaced by a military police investigation.

IHAT, which was established in 2010 to probe claims of abuse of civilians following the 2003 invasion, is reported to have cost £60 million to date.

The Ministry of Defence said:

"The government is legally obliged to investigate criminal allegations and the courts are clear that if IHAT did not exist, British troops could be dragged through international courts."

Allegations against British military personnel have ranged from low-level mistreatment of civilians to claims of torture and murder.

Since its launch there have been 3,392 cases lodged with IHAT - two thirds of which were brought by human rights lawyer Phil Shiner and his firm, Public Interest Lawyers

Mr Shiner was struck off last Tuesday after a string of misconduct charges against him, including five of dishonesty, were found proven following a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing.

The Defence Sub-Committee's report on the support given to former and serving personnel who face legal proceedings is due to be published on February 15.