Bob Ainsworth to outline Iraq 'war crimes' inquiry

Lawyers for six Iraqi men have pushed for a public inquiry at the High Court

The defence secretary is to announce details of an inquiry into alleged war crimes by UK soldiers in Iraq.

Bob Ainsworth will set out the terms of the probe into claims 20 Iraqis were killed and nine others mistreated at UK bases after a firefight in 2004.

He will name who will head the inquiry but no date is likely to be announced.

The government agreed to the review in July after months of legal debate. The Ministry of Defence says the lives were lost during the "battle of Danny boy".

'No credible evidence'

Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell said a "massive conspiracy" would have needed to be in place for the murder and mistreatment to have taken place.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has always insisted the men died during the "battle of Danny Boy" between British soldiers and militiamen in the south of the country, at a checkpoint known as "Danny Boy".

There is very credible evidence there was clear ill-treatment Phil Shiner Public Interest Lawyers

But lawyers for six Iraqi men claim the civilians were killed after they were captured - not during the fighting, near Al Majar-al-Kabir in Maysan province on 14 May 2004.

They produced medical evidence at the High Court which they claimed supported allegations that captives were taken to the UK's Camp Abu Naji, where they were tortured, murdered and their bodies mutilated.

The disputed events are alleged to have taken place at both Camp Abu Naji and at the temporary detention facility at Shaibah Logistics base.

Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers - who represents the uncle of one of the dead Iraqis - said there was "very credible evidence there was clear ill-treatment".

'Investigation blocked'

The government agreed to an inquiry after facing severe criticism from the High Court.

The court said the MoD failed to provide documents showing the government knew several prisoners detained at the time of the battle had complained of abuse to the Red Cross.

And a judge also expressed concern that computers showing pictures of the dead Iraqis were thrown from a cross-channel ferry by an intelligence officer.

The court also criticised the Royal Military Police's handling of investigations.

A military police inquiry found "no credible evidence" for the allegations but judges criticised the RMP investigation, which they said was blocked, causing delays.

The inquiry is the latest in a series of reviews into British military conduct in Iraq.

An investigation is currently under way into the death of Iraqi civilian, Baha Mousa, who died in 2003 while in British custody, having sustained 93 injuries.

A separate catalogue of 33 allegations of abuse, including rape and torture, are also to be investigated by the MoD.