National News: Former High Court Judge Appointed to Chair Al Sweady Inquiry
Former High Court Judge Appointed to Chair Al Sweady Inquiry
Sir Thayne Forbes will chair the inquiry into allegations that Iraqi nationals were ill-treated and unlawfully killed by British troops in May 2004 in southern Iraq, the MOD announced today.
Armed Forces Minister, Bill Rammell said:
“I am pleased that Sir Thayne Forbes has agreed to chair the Al Sweady Inquiry. The Ministry of Defence has nothing to hide and I hope that this inquiry will satisfy all concerned that we have established the truth once and for all.
“We will provide full support to the Inquiry as it carries out this valuable work.”
Sir Thayne Forbes has decided to chair the Inquiry alone but may choose to appoint assessors who can assist him with expert knowledge and advice.
The Inquiry's terms of reference are:
“To investigate and report on the allegations made by the claimants in the Al-Sweady judicial review proceedings against British soldiers of (1) unlawful killing at Camp Abu Naji on 14 and 15 May 2004, and (2) the ill-treatment of five Iraqi nationals detained at Camp Abu Naji and subsequently at the divisional temporary detention facility at Shaibah Logistics Base between 14 May and 23 September 2004, taking account of the investigations which have already taken place, and to make recommendations.”
Posted Wednesday November 25th 2009
By Ministry Of Defence