MOD faces 250 cases against British in Iraq

HUNDREDS of cases of alleged wrongdoing by British troops in Iraq have been lodged with the High Court, it has emerged.

Leigh Day, the law firm, has submitted 250 cases relating to alleged mistreatment by British service personnel. It is also considering the submission of another 200 cases, depending on information it receives from the Ministry of Defence.

The claims, which follow accusations of a “witch hunt” against British troops who served in Iraq, come after Leigh Day won a test case over the treatment of four Iraqis who said they had been wrongly detained.

Mr Justice Leggatt ruled in December that they were due compensation under the Human Rights Act. One of the Iraqis received £30,000. At the time legal experts predicted the case would open up possibilities for hundreds more cases.

The MOD said in a statement: “While valid claims should be compensated, false or exaggerated allegations make it harder for justice to be served.”

Leigh Day said it welcomed the MOD statement. A spokesman said: “These cases taken against the MOD were ‘stayed’, awaiting the judgment from the High Court last year.

“These are not new cases. The MOD has been aware of them for at least five years.

“The findings in the High Court case, that Iraqi civilians had their human rights breached whilst in detention, meant these 250 cases could be taken forward.

“We have asked the MOD for further information on around 200 claims to help determine their validity.”