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Al-Sweady Inquiry: UK soldiers 'mistreated detainees' Al-Sweady Inquiry: UK soldiers 'mistreated detainees'
(31 minutes later)
British soldiers mistreated nine Iraqi detainees after a 2004 battle, a public inquiry into alleged abuse has ruled. British soldiers mistreated nine Iraqi detainees after a 2004 battle but allegations of murder were "deliberate lies", a public inquiry has ruled.
But the Al-Sweady Inquiry found allegations of murder and torture made against the British military were the product of "deliberate lies, reckless speculation and ingrained hostility". The Al-Sweady Inquiry into alleged abuse added that murder and torture allegations were "reckless speculation" and "wholly without foundation".
Claims that up to 20 Iraqis were killed and mutilated after the battle were withdrawn earlier this year.Claims that up to 20 Iraqis were killed and mutilated after the battle were withdrawn earlier this year.
The inquiry was set up in 2009 by then defence secretary Bob Ainsworth. To date the inquiry - set up in 2009 - has cost more than £24m.
Inquiry chairman Sir Thayne Forbes said detainees who alleged they were tortured and abused - and subjected to mock executions - had given evidence that was "unprincipled in the extreme" and "wholly without regard to the truth."
The hearing took evidence about the actions of soldiers from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, who were ambushed by insurgents, leading to a three-hour gun battle that became known as the Battle of Danny Boy.
'Exemplary courage'
The report found that soldiers responded to the ambush with "exemplary courage, resolution and professionalism."
But the inquiry found that some aspects of how the detainees had been treated did amount to ill treatment.
It said that the conduct of some individual soldiers and some of the procedures of the military "fell below the high standards normally to be expected of the British army".
The report found that:
It also described as "ill treatment" an interrogator banging a tent peg on a table and walking around a blindfolded detainee blowing on the back of his neck.
It is understood that the former Iraqi detainees - who are now known to have been armed insurgents at the time - will not pursue claims of compensation.