Defence Secretary vows to protect UK troops from ‘witch hunt’ into alleged war crimes
Sir Michael Fallon pledged legal support for accused soldiers and a time limit for new cases to be brought
BRITISH soldiers facing criminal investigations into alleged battlefield crimes are victims of a “witch hunt”, according to the defence secretary.
Sir Michael Fallon, Britain’s defence chief, promised to protect soldiers from “nonsense” Iraq and Afghanistan inquiries following a wave of public anger.
Speaking to The Telegraph, he revealed government plans to set a time limit after which no new cases against soldiers could be brought forward.
And he vowed to scrap European human rights laws on the battlefield by introducing a new British Bill of Rights.
Addressing the threat of lawyers chasing troops in years to come, Sir Michael said: “It has been a witch hunt.
“And it has been intimidating – not just to our veterans but it has been intimidating to our soldiers today who worry that they too might find themselves being investigated 10 years from now.”
There are two ongoing, taxpayer-funded investigations into allegations that UK forces committed war crimes.
The £57million Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Operation Northmoor, a probe into alleged abuse in Afghanistan.
The latter has made no arrests and IHAT just seven. No one has been charged with any crime.
Despite describing some investigations as “disturbing” and “deeply unfair”, Mr Fallon stopped short of calling for them to be completely scrapped.
He insisted “serious allegations” must still be investigated – but a time limit for claims would bring an end to troops worrying about their future.
He also warned that a host of “unfounded claims” had a “dampening effect” on soldiers’ battlefield performance.
Responding to fears soldier would have to pay for their own legal defence, Sir Michael said: “Let me just confirm that we will provide legal support without subsequent recovery of costs in all these cases.”
Mums of fallen Forces heroes last night vowed to launch an online petition urging the Government to end its witch-hunt against troops.
It is backed by former Royal Marine Mark Ormrod, left a triple amputee after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan.
He said: “No soldier should put theirlife on the line only to come home and face prosecution for doing his job.”