Iraq

Iraqi abuse investigation halted

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More than 100 Iraqis who say they were abused by British troops are refusing to co-operate with an official investigation by British police into their claims.

The Iraq Historic Allegations Team has to take statements from 140 alleged victims but has
only been able to complete one interview since it began work last autumn.

The Iraqis have accused the team of not treating them sensitively.

Phil Shiner from Public Interest Lawyers, who is representing all of them, said: "It's been a complete and utter shambles, it must have cost the taxpayer millions."

He says the first attempt to take statements from Iraqis in Lebanon ended when investigators were asked to leave by the authorities there.

A second attempt in Turkey ended when an interviewee objected to the questioning. He cut short the interview and flew home to Iraq.

"It was a multiple of serious errors they made. They clearly haven't been trained," he said.

But the investigating team has dismissed these claims, saying there is no reason for claimants to refuse to take part.

In a statement the head of the team, retired Detective Chief Superintendent Geoff White, said: "Our aim is to get to the bottom of what is alleged to have occurred with a view to deciding if there is sufficient evidence to refer cases for potential prosecution.

"I simply do not accept that the difficulties we now face stem from failings on the part of IHAT.

"We have taken advice from an experienced Queen's Counsel and his conclusion is that there was no reasonable basis for Public Interest Lawyers decision to advise complainants to withdraw from the interviews."

For now, no more interviews can take place.

The Iraqis are pushing for a full public inquiry similar to those going on into the death of hotel worker Baha Mousa, and the Al Sweady inquiry into the treatment of prisoners at Camp Abu Naji.

The court of appeal will hear that argument next month.