War crimes: Our ole master speaks in two voices

Britain is at the forefront of a campaign to have Sri Lanka’s military prosecuted for what it insists were war crimes committed at the end of the war with the terrorist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. But when it comes to allegations against its own forces, the British Government is unapologetically defensive.

The BBC quotes Prime Minister Theresa May as saying she will not allow an “industry of vexatious allegations” against UK troops over claims of abuse in Iraq. This is in response to an inquiry by the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) which is examining serious reports following the 2003 invasion. The BBC says concerns have been raised over the “industrial scale” of claims lodge with IHAT supported by legal aid.

“Mrs May said Britons should be proud of the work done by the armed forces and the disciplined way in which they operated,” the report says. Conservative MP Johnny Mercer is cited as saying: “We have asked a generation of our young people to conduct a deeply unpopular war, poorly resourced, poorly planned and when they return to the UK they are then pursued for decades afterwards by spurious allegations.”

Earlier in the year, former PM David Cameron also voiced intent to stamp out what he described as “spurious” legal claims against British troops.

A British soldier currently being investigated over claims involving the death of an Iraqi teenager is quoted as saying: "The reality of 21st century warfare is now that anyone in the world, even our enemies, can make any allegation against British forces, no matter how absurd, and the British government and army will stand and watch in utter indifference as it destroys their lives and careers."

Only one thing to be said here: What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.