UK to close Iraq war abuse unit, citing false claims

LONDON: Britain’s government has said it will shut down a unit investigating claims of torture and unlawful killing by British soldiers in Iraq after a law firm representing alleged victims was found to have made false claims.

“This will be a huge relief to hundreds of British troops who have had these quite unfair allegations hanging over them,” Defense Minister Michael Fallon said in a statement issued late on



Friday.

“We will put in place new measures now to ensure this never happens again and that there are proper safeguards to prevent completely malicious and unfounded allegations being made against our brave servicemen and women.”

The Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) was set up in 2010 and is independent of the military for its investigations. It has looked into more than 1,700 allegations of mistreatment or unlawful killings.