More Details Emerge of British Abuse Of Iraqis

A specialist team appointed by the government to investigate claims of abuse by British troops in Iraq has received 90 complaints involving 128 Iraqi civilians. The files, relating to allegations between March 2003 and July 2009, have been sent to Geoff White, a former head of Staffordshire CID, who heads the Iraq historic allegations team.

The unit, the creation of which was announced in March, comprises 80 staff including military investigators and former Scotland Yard homicide detectives. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The team is investigating all alleged cases of abuse by UK service personnel in Iraq and will identify any action that needs to be taken. We anticipate this should take around two years."

White has met Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers, who will begin a case in the high court on Friday on behalf of 142 Iraqis who claim they were abused by British troops in the aftermath of the war to topple Saddam Hussein. MORE HERE