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New push for files on Basra death New push for files on Basra death
(about 2 hours later)
Lawyers are going to court seeking access to military files into the death of an Iraqi man who died in UK custody.Lawyers are going to court seeking access to military files into the death of an Iraqi man who died in UK custody.
Solicitor Phil Shiner will ask the High Court to order the Ministry of Defence to hand over documents relating to the 2003 death in Basra of Baha Mousa.Solicitor Phil Shiner will ask the High Court to order the Ministry of Defence to hand over documents relating to the 2003 death in Basra of Baha Mousa.
Baha Mousa, a hotel receptionist, died after he was allegedly tortured over a period of 36 hours by British troops.Baha Mousa, a hotel receptionist, died after he was allegedly tortured over a period of 36 hours by British troops.
His lawyers say the files will provide more evidence of the need for a full public inquiry.His lawyers say the files will provide more evidence of the need for a full public inquiry.
Abuse claimAbuse claim
Mr Shiner told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme that bundles of previously undisclosed files were key to convincing Defence Secretary Des Browne to order such an inquiry.Mr Shiner told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme that bundles of previously undisclosed files were key to convincing Defence Secretary Des Browne to order such an inquiry.
"It's quite clear to me that there was systemic abuse and torture," Mr Shiner said of British troops on the ground in Iraq in the early stages of the war."It's quite clear to me that there was systemic abuse and torture," Mr Shiner said of British troops on the ground in Iraq in the early stages of the war.
He urged Mr Browne to do the "decent thing and hold the inquiry into the UK's detention policy.He urged Mr Browne to do the "decent thing and hold the inquiry into the UK's detention policy.
"I believe that in the end the truth will come out and sooner or later I will get to the bottom of it," Mr Shiner said of deaths in custody in Iraq."I believe that in the end the truth will come out and sooner or later I will get to the bottom of it," Mr Shiner said of deaths in custody in Iraq.
Government resistanceGovernment resistance
In the case of Mr Mousa, seven members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), which is now the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, faced the most expensive court martial in British history, but all were eventually acquitted.In the case of Mr Mousa, seven members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), which is now the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, faced the most expensive court martial in British history, but all were eventually acquitted.
One soldier, Corporal Donald Payne, 35, became the first British servicemen to admit a war crime, that of treating Iraqi prisoners inhumanely, and was jailed for a year.One soldier, Corporal Donald Payne, 35, became the first British servicemen to admit a war crime, that of treating Iraqi prisoners inhumanely, and was jailed for a year.
In June, the Law Lords ruled that UK human rights law apply to civilians who die while in British custody in Iraq, which Mr Shiner believes paves the way for an inquiry - a move that has the government has so far been resisted. In June, the Law Lords ruled that UK human rights law apply to civilians who die while in British custody in Iraq, which Mr Shiner believes paves the way for an inquiry - a move that the government has so far resisted.