Tri-Service

Should UK Troops Be Investigated Poll: The Results

The investigation into alleged abuses by British troops while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan has caused controversy recently.

One soldier, facing prosecution over the death of an Iraqi teenager, told the BBC that the British Army had “betrayed its finest people”.

However, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he thought there had to be an investigation.

The Prime Minister Theresa May said “every effort” would be made to stop the legal system being abused and the Defence Secretary has promised legal support for soldiers affected following negative headlines.

And former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) should never have been set up.

So we asked if the government should continue to investigate the allegations.

Over 2,000 people responded and the answer was overwhelmingly ‘No’.

Over 90% thought the government should not investigate and less than 10% thought they should.

For some the question was a simple one to answer.

Donald Austen said: “No they do the hardest job ever, risk life n limb, don’t get paid enough, not helped on return they deserve our utmost respect. It’s disgusting the questions even being asked.”

However, Paul Seaton felt it was a more complicated question, he said:

“NO as long as they are following orders, YES if they disobeyed their orders. But in both cases not before a military hearing has been conducted and a BIG NO for special forces who have to operate behind closed doors (so to speak).”

And Simon Perrott believes it depends on who would be judging the soldiers: “I believe if they are going to get investigated then it should be by people who have had combat experience not someone who has been office based all there working life. Definitely if they have done wrong yes I do HOWEVER by the right people.”

Another question we asked was whether politicians “who sent troops into theatre bear, or share, legal responsibility?”.

Once again, the result was clear.

Almost 95% said that they should.

Norman Robinson felt:

“Politicians send them to do their dirty work, and then hang them out to dry. How odd that those who make decisions on spurious grounds are never prosecuted I wonder why.”

We also asked if an amnesty should be declared with a ‘truth and reconciliation’- style inquiry set up.

This was a tighter vote, with 51.7% believing that should be done and 48.3% believing it shouldn’t.