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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Theresa May: Troops must be protected from legal system abuse | Theresa May: Troops must be protected from legal system abuse |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Every effort must be made to stop the legal system being abused over allegations of serious misconduct by UK troops, Theresa May has said. | Every effort must be made to stop the legal system being abused over allegations of serious misconduct by UK troops, Theresa May has said. |
| The PM told defence chiefs she is determined to stop "vexatious" claims being brought against the armed forces. | The PM told defence chiefs she is determined to stop "vexatious" claims being brought against the armed forces. |
| Two separate inquiries are examining about 2,000 allegations against troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
| An MoD source said steps were being taken to prevent spurious complaints and reduce the number of cases. | An MoD source said steps were being taken to prevent spurious complaints and reduce the number of cases. |
| Former soldiers have claimed they have been hounded through the courts on unfounded claims and there are growing calls for the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT), which investigates claims of murder and abuse by British soldiers in Iraq, to be shut down. | |
| Mrs May raised the issue during her 90-minute meeting with Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, the heads of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and senior civil servants. | Mrs May raised the issue during her 90-minute meeting with Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, the heads of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and senior civil servants. |
| She also discussed the fight against so-called Islamic State, also referred to as Daesh, and the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. | She also discussed the fight against so-called Islamic State, also referred to as Daesh, and the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. |
| 'Debt of gratitude' | 'Debt of gratitude' |
| Mrs May said: "The men and women of our armed forces do an incredible job, often making huge sacrifices to keep us safe. | Mrs May said: "The men and women of our armed forces do an incredible job, often making huge sacrifices to keep us safe. |
| "Whether taking the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria, helping to tackle the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean or providing flood relief at home - we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. | "Whether taking the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria, helping to tackle the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean or providing flood relief at home - we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. |
| "Our armed forces are the best in the world and with the biggest defence budget in Europe and the second biggest in Nato we will continue to play our part on the world stage, protecting UK interests across the globe." | "Our armed forces are the best in the world and with the biggest defence budget in Europe and the second biggest in Nato we will continue to play our part on the world stage, protecting UK interests across the globe." |
| One of the cases before IHAT involves the death of a 19-year old Iraqi in a waterway near Basra 13 years ago. | |
| Three current and former servicemen who were cleared of wrongdoing over the teenager's death have now been told they may face prosecution. | |
| One of them, who wished to remain anonymous while under investigation, previously told the BBC: "The reality of 21st-century warfare is now that anyone in the world, even our enemies, can make any allegation against British forces, no matter how absurd, and the British government and Army will stand and watch in utter indifference as it destroys their lives and careers. | |
| "The Army has surrendered its own powers of discipline and investigation to a private company and betrayed its finest people to protect itself from scrutiny at the highest levels." | |
| He said the Army's top staff had sacrificed junior ranks to protect themselves. | |
| "Regardless of the allegation, everyone is innocent until proven guilty and the Army has failed in its most basic duty of care," he said. | |
| "There are veterans who have been persecuted for years by IHAT, but haven't heard a single word of support from the Army, yet alone legal or psychological support." | |
| He added that the Army should write to those accused by IHAT and state, up to the point of a guilty verdict: "We are with you, you are one of us, and we will support you to the end". | |
| This would be "simple common decency", he said. | |
| Abuse allegations | |
| MP Johnny Mercer, a member of the Commons Defence Select Committee who is heading an investigation into IHAT, branded the legal pursuit of troops "a national disgrace" and called for the team to be axed. | MP Johnny Mercer, a member of the Commons Defence Select Committee who is heading an investigation into IHAT, branded the legal pursuit of troops "a national disgrace" and called for the team to be axed. |
| Established in November 2010, IHAT was set up to investigate allegations of murder, abuse and torture of Iraqi civilians by UK military personnel between 2003 and 2009. | Established in November 2010, IHAT was set up to investigate allegations of murder, abuse and torture of Iraqi civilians by UK military personnel between 2003 and 2009. |
| The claims range from ill treatment during detention to assault and death by shooting. | The claims range from ill treatment during detention to assault and death by shooting. |
| The team has considered at least 1,514 possible victims - of whom 280 are alleged to have been unlawfully killed. | The team has considered at least 1,514 possible victims - of whom 280 are alleged to have been unlawfully killed. |
| Earlier in the year, former Prime Minister David Cameron also voiced an intent to stamp out what he described as "spurious" legal claims against British troops. | Earlier in the year, former Prime Minister David Cameron also voiced an intent to stamp out what he described as "spurious" legal claims against British troops. |
| Meanwhile, an independent policing unit set up to investigate alleged war crimes by UK troops in Afghanistan has received about 600 complaints. | Meanwhile, an independent policing unit set up to investigate alleged war crimes by UK troops in Afghanistan has received about 600 complaints. |
| The Ministry of Defence said 150 people had made claims of ill-treatment place between 2005 and 2013. | The Ministry of Defence said 150 people had made claims of ill-treatment place between 2005 and 2013. |
| It said any "credible claims" of criminal activity should be investigated. | It said any "credible claims" of criminal activity should be investigated. |