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New investigation into Iraqi deaths
07.07.09
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Lawyers have claimed a "momentous" day of victory for families seeking an independent inquiry into allegations that Iraqi civilians were tortured and killed by British troops.
The claim followed a concession by Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth at the High Court in London that a fresh investigation was now necessary into the deaths in southern Iraq in 2004.
It is alleged that Iraqi civilians were murdered and mutilated at Camp Abu Naji, a British base, following "the battle of Danny Boy" - a fire fight between British soldiers and Iraqi insurgents near the town of Majar-al-Kabir in Maysan Province on May 14 2004.
Three judges were told the Defence Secretary had conceded a new investigation was necessary because there had been serious delays in documents being disclosed to the lawyers representing the Iraqis.
Fresh evidence had come to light only last week.
Six Iraqis had applied to the High Court for a judicial review over accusations that British soldiers may have killed up to 20 captives.
The Ministry of Defence emphatically denies wrongdoing by soldiers, saying the 20 who died were killed on the battlefield and there was no murder or torture.
Before the dramatic halt of the hearing, the High Court had already heard 20 days of submissions and evidence, including cross-examination of senior military personnel.
Outside court Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers, said the Defence Secretary's concessions amounted to a legal victory for the six Iraqis seeking a full public investigation.
He said: "This is a momentous day for all the Iraqi mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and wives of young men who were returned in body bags from the British base on May 15, 2004. It is momentous because at long last there will be a full, independent, public investigation into what happened that night."
