Threat over control of mercenaries

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The charity War on Want has sent a solicitor's letter to Foreign Secretary David Miliband demanding urgent regulation of those working for private military and security companies (PMSCs).

It plans to seek a judicial review if ministers do not act.

The letter states thousands of mercenaries are working "outside legal or democratic control", adding: "Some have been involved in unlawful killings and human rights abuses."

War on Want said the US and Iraqi governments were taking action, but UK ministers were doing nothing, "despite UK companies being some of the biggest players in the industry".

The Government published a Green Paper on the issue in 2002, prompting calls from the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee for strict regulation of so-called soldiers of fortune, including an outright ban on armed combat operations and controls on the use of firearms.

It also recommended they be licensed and used to assist British troops in international peacekeeping missions.

The Government commissioned a further review of the options in 2005, but has yet to act.

More than 100 MPs signed a Commons motion in the last session of parliament urging the Government to move towards binding legislation. The United Nations has also called on the UK to legislate.

Andy Bearpark, director general of the British Association of Private Security Companies, the trade association for PMSCs, said: "We are fully supportive of government regulation as part of the package of measures which is required for effective regulation of the industry." But international and self-regulation were also required, he added.