An investigation into Iraq War veterans who are the focus of allegations of war crimes has been dubbed “despicable” by an MP and a former forces chief.
Hundreds of British soldiers have received letters questioning their role in claims of torture and murder during the Iraq War, as prosecutors confirmed more than 50 deaths are set to be examined.
Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces, described the investigation as a “disgrace”.
He told the Daily Mail: “I know how much pressure it puts on them to be put under suspicion of a serious crime.
Allegations of murder and abuse have been made about British Iraq War veterans
“The idea that such a large number of soldiers should be accused of crime is a disgrace, and the Government should stop it.
“These soldiers did not sign up to go and put their lives on the line only to spend what could be the rest of their lives being hounded for their loyalty.”
Around 280 veterans have been sent documents telling them they were involved in an incident under investigation by the Iraq Historical Allegations Team (Ihat), a spokeswoman for the unit said according to the Press Association.
Unlawful death cases involving 35 alleged killings have already been referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) - the military equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service - along with 36 cases of alleged abuse and mistreatment with "multiple complainants".
Colonel Bob Stewart, a Tory MP, said: “I am fed up with efforts by ambulance-chasing lawyers and even the MoD itself, through Ihat, who dig for dirt on our soldiers in combat so that prosecutions can be brought against them.
“The pressure put on veterans and indeed serving personnel when the representatives of such people come knocking on their doors is intolerable.
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“Going to court to defend themselves against sharp-tongued barristers is every soldier’s worst nightmare. It is utterly despicable and wrong. Why should it be hanging over their heads?”
Andrew Cayley QC, the director of the SPA, said it "will not flinch" in prosecuting British soldiers where there is evidence of wrongdoing.
The former war crimes prosecutor said: "I have spent the last 20 years of my professional life advising and prosecuting in cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
"I know very well what these crimes look like. Make no mistake we will give all these Ihat cases the thorough scrutiny the law requires and if prosecution is warranted we will not flinch from proceeding.
"Equally I want to make it absolutely clear that no member of the British Armed Forces will be prosecuted unless there is sufficient evidence to do so."
UK forces withdrew from Iraq in 2009 although lawyers are continuing to refer cases to the Ihat, the Government-established criminal investigation into murder, abuse and torture claims linked to the six-year military mission.
UK forces withdrew from Iraq in 2009
The multimillion-pound inquiry's workload reached 1,515 possible victims by September, of whom 280 are alleged to have been unlawfully killed. Ihat's budget is set at £57.2 million, which runs until the end of 2019 - 16 years after the 2003 invasion began.
An Ihat spokeswoman confirmed that some of the letters sent to veterans in the last two years had been hand delivered by detectives and that there was "no obligation to respond".
"It is standard police practice to send letters as a means of contacting potential witnesses," she said. "Sometimes the letters are delivered by hand and it may be that if a potential witness is at home then the investigator will take the opportunity to ask a few questions."
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "The vast majority of UK service personnel deployed on military operations conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with the law.
"The MoD takes all allegations of abuse or unlawful killing extremely seriously. That is why we are ensuring that they are investigated to establish the facts."