Timeline to termination How the Ihat inquiry was brought to its knees

October 2015 Ihat receives last of almost 3,500 allegations of abuse, the vast majority from lawyer Phil Shiner April 2016 Johnny Mercer, MP and former Army captain, begins inquiry into Ihat August 2016 The Telegraph discloses that Shiner faces criminal investigation over money paid to Iraqis September 2016 Three British troops told they face possible manslaughter charges over drowning of Iraqi man in 2003 Feb 10, 2017 Defence committee report into Ihat declares it “unfit for purpose” and calls for it to be shut down. Sir Michael Fallon announces Ihat to shut down by the summer with remaining 20 cases transferred to the Royal Navy Police