Iraqis seek 'abuse' inquiry

Lawyers acting for Iraqi civilians have said that British troops were guilty of "terrifying acts of brutality," as a High Court hearing got underway into whether there should be a public inquiry into their allegations.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is investigating the claims through the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT), but Public Interest Lawyers say IHAT is not sufficiently independent.

Speaking before the hearing began this morning, lawyer Phil Shiner said: "There are unfortunately a lot more Baha Mousa cases out there - of deaths in custody following ill-treatment and torture by British forces."

A public inquiry into Mousa's death, in British custody in Iraq in September 2003, concluded it was caused by a combination of his weakened physical state and a final struggle with his guards - and named 19 soldiers who were involved in beating him.

A lawyer representing Iraqi civilians who claim they were abused by British soldiers in Iraq, has said there are "tens of thousands" of allegations of mistreatment from "hundreds and hundreds of people."

Phil Shiner, from Public Interest Lawyers, said he's presenting the cases of 192 Iraqis at the High Court.

He said: "some of the cases are truly shocking", and listed claims of the unlawful killing of a 62-year-old grandmother, an eight-year-old girl playing with friends, and a man shot as he slept.

They are asking for an independent judge-led inquiry into the conduct of UK forces in Iraq.

The case of 180 Iraqis who, are calling for a public inquiry after claiming they were abused by British soldiers, follows the inquiry into the death of Baha Mousa who died after being beaten by UK forces.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond plans to investigate claims by 180 Iraqis that they were tortured by British soldiers through the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT), which includes members of the Royal Navy Police (RNP).

But the Public Interest Lawyers representing the Iraqis argue justice requires a fully independent public inquiry. Ministry of Defence lawyers are opposing the application.

An MOD spokesman recently said: "The IHAT is the most effective way of investigating these unproven allegations rather than a costly public inquiry."

Representatives of 180 Iraqi civilians, who claim they were abused by British soldiers in Iraq, will visit the High Court today seeking a public inquiry into their allegations.

Lawyers for the Iraqis allege there were a number of unlawful killings as well as incidents of torture from March 2003 to December 2008 in British-controlled detention facilities.