Iraq witch hunt: Now hundreds of cases could be scrapped
INVESTIGATORS are preparing to throw out the vast majority of remaining claims against British troops accused of abuses in Iraq.
It follows news that the disgraced legal firm at the centre of the allegations is to shut down within weeks.
A 145-strong team of taxpayer-funded officers has so far spent six years investigating 176 cases of alleged criminality by UK soldiers in Iraq – leading to not a single prosecution. This is despite hundreds of troops being hounded on their doorsteps and on military bases.
There are now 1492 cases left – most of which were submitted to the Iraq Historical Allegations Team (IHAT) by Phil Shiner’s firm Public Interest Lawyers (PIL). But last night it emerged many of them are now likely to be thrown out after Mr Shiner’s firm closes for good. The Mail revealed yesterday that the firm – which has been stripped of its right to claim legal aid – is to shut at the end of the month. PIL is also facing an investigation by the National Crime Agency.
That means hundreds of the cases that firm referred to IHAT will now be reviewed and may be dropped.
In a statement last night, the allegations team said: ‘In light of the legal aid agency’s decision and PIL’s closure IHAT is now considering very carefully whether this has any bearing on the credibility or otherwise of the remaining cases.’
In a further victory for hounded soldiers yesterday it emerged that Theresa May could also introduce a new system of ‘penalties’ to clobber firms who impose ‘untold stress’ on UK servicemen by lodging ‘bogus’ claims.
These could be financial penalties or possible jail terms.
To prevent future cases flooding in, proposals are also being drawn up by Number Ten for a new residency test for getting legal aid.
Only people who have been living here for 12 months would be entitled to apply – stopping Iraqis and others making claims from abroad. IHAT was set up in March 2010 and was originally budgeted to cost £7.5million. But as a flood of cases were submitted by PIL, the projected cost soared to £57million by the end of 2019. Even though it has effectively been halted, its cost to taxpayers from 2010 to the end of the 2015/16 financial year is already £29.5million.
Over six years, investigators were forced to sift through over 3367 cases, many of which were found to have been duplicates or lacking any evidence. Around 1,400 of these cases were submitted by PIL.
Astonishingly, of the 176 cases concluded so far, only one has had a result: a £3,000 fine and referral for disciplinary action. There have been no prosecutions. Many cases echo that of Sergeant Kevin Williams, cleared by two military inquiries and a murder trial after he shot an Iraqi who tried to grab his gun in 2003. Despite this, he was still investigated by IHAT.
PIL – which will close on August 31st – is currently under investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) over claims Iraqi civilians were bribed to bring abuse claims against British soldiers.
It is also claimed the firm used legal aid to fund an agent called Mazin Younis who drummed up business in Iraq.
Last night the Daily Mail tracked down the agent, who moved from Iraq to Manchester in 1984, and now runs a translation service. He denied touting for business, adding: ‘They would just ring me up and ask me to speak to people.’
On top of the criminal investigations, Mr Shiner is facing a secret disciplinary tribunal over his role in the witch-hunt against troops.
Prime Minister Theresa May was said to be ‘very much pleased’ at the closure of PIL.
Her official spokesman said: ‘We made a manifesto commitment to addressing these types of spurious claims that companies like PIL are pursuing. The closure of PIL shows that we are making progress.’
PIL last night said they did not want to comment on its closure.