Iraqi man died after ‘shocking’ beating by troops
Published on Friday 9 September 2011 06:00
THE actions of British soldiers whose savage beatings led to the death of an Iraqi civilian were “deplorable, shocking and shameful”, Defence Secretary Liam Fox admitted yesterday.
Responding to the damning findings of a public inquiry into Baha Mousa’s death, Dr Fox acknowledged the innocent civilian had been subjected “to violent and cowardly abuse and assaults by British servicemen whose job it was to guard him and treat him humanely”.
Inquiry chairman Sir William Gage said soldiers from the First Battalion, the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, inflicted an “appalling episode of serious gratuitous violence” on 26-year-old Mr Mousa during 36 hours in detention in Basra in September 2003. His body was found to have suffered 93 external injuries.
The head of the British army, Gen Sir Peter Wall, said the episode had “cast a dark shadow” over the force’s reputation, while Prime Minister David Cameron described the abuse of Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, as “truly shocking and appalling”, adding “it should never be allowed to happen again”.
Sir William’s report named 19 members of UK forces, including three non-commissioned officers, who carried out assaults on Mr Mousa and nine other Iraqis held with him.
Seven soldiers, including former commanding officer Jorge Mendonca, faced allegations relating to the mistreatment of the detainees at a court martial in 2006-07. They were all being cleared except Cpl Donald Payne, who pleaded guilty to inhumanely treating civilians.
The report’s findings prompted calls for prosecutions from lawyers for Mr Mousa’s family.
Sapna Malik said: “In light of the cogent and serious findings by Sir William Gage, we now expect that the military and civilian prosecuting authorities of this country will act to ensure that justice is done.”
Phil Shiner added that it was an “absolute imperative” that prosecutions in a civilian court are brought. He also renewed his calls for a wider ranging public inquiry into how British troops treated detainees during the 2003-2009 Iraq War.
The Court of Appeal is due to announce its judgment next month in response to a legal bid to force the Government to launch such an inquiry brought by more than 100 Iraqi civilians who claim they were mistreated by British forces.
Mr Shiner called the Ministry of Defence “a disgraceful outfit” and also revealed a senior Army medical officer criticised in the report is facing a 30-day General Medical Council disciplinary hearing next year.
Dr Derek Keilloh, medical officer for 1st Battalion the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, examined Mr Mousa after his death but claimed he saw no injuries on his body.
Mr Shiner also said the battalion’s Catholic padre, Fr Peter Madden, was being investigated by “the appropriate church authorities” over his involvement in the case.
Sir William found the chaplain visited the detention centre at the time and must have been aware of the abuse being inflicted on the detainees.
As well as condemning those responsible for the innocent Iraqi’s death, Dr Fox lambasted the battalion hierarchy saying: “It is also clear there were serious failings in command and discipline.”
He added: “The evidence from the inquiry will now be reviewed to see whether more can be done to bring those responsible to justice.”
In the House of Commons yesterday, Keighley MP Kris Hopkins, a former soldier, branded those responsible “criminals” and mourned “a dark day for British Army”.
He said: “The criminals who were responsible for this should be brought before the courts.”
Published on Friday 9 September 2011 06:00
THE actions of British soldiers whose savage beatings led to the death of an Iraqi civilian were “deplorable, shocking and shameful”, Defence Secretary Liam Fox admitted yesterday.
Responding to the damning findings of a public inquiry into Baha Mousa’s death, Dr Fox acknowledged the innocent civilian had been subjected “to violent and cowardly abuse and assaults by British servicemen whose job it was to guard him and treat him humanely”.
Inquiry chairman Sir William Gage said soldiers from the First Battalion, the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, inflicted an “appalling episode of serious gratuitous violence” on 26-year-old Mr Mousa during 36 hours in detention in Basra in September 2003. His body was found to have suffered 93 external injuries.
The head of the British army, Gen Sir Peter Wall, said the episode had “cast a dark shadow” over the force’s reputation, while Prime Minister David Cameron described the abuse of Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, as “truly shocking and appalling”, adding “it should never be allowed to happen again”.
Sir William’s report named 19 members of UK forces, including three non-commissioned officers, who carried out assaults on Mr Mousa and nine other Iraqis held with him.
Seven soldiers, including former commanding officer Jorge Mendonca, faced allegations relating to the mistreatment of the detainees at a court martial in 2006-07. They were all being cleared except Cpl Donald Payne, who pleaded guilty to inhumanely treating civilians.
The report’s findings prompted calls for prosecutions from lawyers for Mr Mousa’s family.
Sapna Malik said: “In light of the cogent and serious findings by Sir William Gage, we now expect that the military and civilian prosecuting authorities of this country will act to ensure that justice is done.”
Phil Shiner added that it was an “absolute imperative” that prosecutions in a civilian court are brought. He also renewed his calls for a wider ranging public inquiry into how British troops treated detainees during the 2003-2009 Iraq War.
The Court of Appeal is due to announce its judgment next month in response to a legal bid to force the Government to launch such an inquiry brought by more than 100 Iraqi civilians who claim they were mistreated by British forces.
Mr Shiner called the Ministry of Defence “a disgraceful outfit” and also revealed a senior Army medical officer criticised in the report is facing a 30-day General Medical Council disciplinary hearing next year.
Dr Derek Keilloh, medical officer for 1st Battalion the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, examined Mr Mousa after his death but claimed he saw no injuries on his body.
Mr Shiner also said the battalion’s Catholic padre, Fr Peter Madden, was being investigated by “the appropriate church authorities” over his involvement in the case.
Sir William found the chaplain visited the detention centre at the time and must have been aware of the abuse being inflicted on the detainees.
As well as condemning those responsible for the innocent Iraqi’s death, Dr Fox lambasted the battalion hierarchy saying: “It is also clear there were serious failings in command and discipline.”
He added: “The evidence from the inquiry will now be reviewed to see whether more can be done to bring those responsible to justice.”
He said: “The criminals who were responsible for this should be brought before the courts.”
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