Britain’s attorney general, Richard Hermer, has been accused by veterans and former military leaders of pursuing a “witch hunt” against British soldiers in Iraq, despite early warnings that key allegations were unreliable, according to newly disclosed documents.
The claims relate to the Al-Sweady Inquiry, which examined accusations that UK troops had murdered and mistreated detainees after a 2004 battle in southern Iraq—one of the most controversial legal cases to emerge from the Iraq War.
Emails and legal records published by The Telegraph show Hermer, then a barrister in private practice, was alerted to inconsistencies in witness testimony and concerns that some Iraqi claimants were fabricating accounts. Despite this, he continued to back compensation claims against the Ministry of Defence and supported efforts to publicise the allegations.
After years of investigation, the inquiry concluded in 2014 that the most serious accusations were “deliberate lies.” Several claimants were found to have links to the Mahdi Army, an insurgent group opposed to Western forces. The soldiers involved were cleared of wrongdoing.
The fallout has prompted a strong backlash from those involved. Brian Wood, a decorated soldier caught up in the case, said: “I have gone through hell for years. It’s disgusting that Hermer is Attorney General… he was representing the people trying to kill us.”
Peter Wall, who oversaw UK forces in Iraq, said the allegations had proven “completely spurious,” adding: “If Richard Hermer was involved… it is incredible he can be Attorney General… the orchestrated claims… were tantamount to treason.”
Lawyer Hilary Meredith said the case caused “unbelievable” psychological damage to soldiers.
Hermer denies wrongdoing and says he acted with “the highest professional standards.”
