UK Iraq damages cases: Supreme Court rules families can sue

[dipsydoodle]

Last edited Wed Jun 19, 2013, 07:29 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: BBC News

The families of soldiers killed in Iraq can pursue damages against the government under the Human Rights Act, the Supreme Court has ruled.

The case was brought by relatives of three men killed by roadside bombs while in Snatch Land Rovers in Iraq.

The court rejected the government's argument that the battlefield was beyond the reach of the legislation.

Judges also ruled the Ministry of Defence owes soldiers a duty of care under the law of negligence.



Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22967853

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Defence Secretary: 'Very concerned at the wider implications of this judgment'

The Defence Secretary has said that he is 'concerned about the wider implications' of the Supreme Court ruling which has allowed families of servicemen killed in Iraq to sue the Government for damages.

“Our thoughts remain with those who were injured and the families of those who sadly lost their lives. The most important priority is the protection of our troops and since this litigation started a wide range of protected vehicles including Mastiff, Ridgeback, Husky, Wolfhound, Jackal and Foxhound, have been available to commanders to match the most appropriate available vehicle to specific tasks based on the assessment of the operational risk.

"I welcome the fact that the Court has upheld the principle of the doctrine of combat immunity, albeit suggesting that it should be interpreted narrowly.

"However, I am very concerned at the wider implications of this judgment, which could ultimately make it more difficult for our troops to carry out operations and potentially throws open a wide range of military decisions to the uncertainty of litigation.

"We will continue to make this point in future legal proceedings as it can't be right that troops on operations have to put the ECHR ahead of what is operationally vital to protect our national security.”

– Defence Secretary Philip Hammond

Buried in here @ http://www.itv.com/news/central/ after Freddie Star stuff.

Fuck you too Hammond.

[bemildred]

1. At last the possibility of some accountability for the Generals and War Capitalists.