Lancashire soldiers face new death probe

8:54am Thursday 15th May 2008

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SOLDIERS from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment will face a further probe in to their part in the death of an Iraqi detainee.

Defence Secretary Des Browne told Parliament yesterday that a public enquiry would be launched in to the death Mr Mousa in order to see what could be learnt from the incident.

Baha Mousa, 26, an Iraqi hotel worker, died while he was in the custody of soldiers from the former Queen's Lancashire Regiment in Basra in 2003.

Seven members of the regiment faced court martial over the incident. Six were acquitted, including QLR commanding officer Colonel Jorge Mendonca, but Cpl Donald Payne was jailed for a year and dismissed from the Army after he pleaded guilty to inhumanely treating civilian detainees, including Mr Mousa.

He told the Commons: "A public inquiry into the death of Baha Mousa is the right thing to do.

"It will reassure the public that we are leaving no stone unturned in investigating his tragic death. The Army has nothing to hide in this respect and is keen to learn all the lessons it can from this terrible incident."

Mr Mousa's death happened while the UK was an occupying power under international law.

The judge overseeing the case will have the power to recall those soldiers involved in the initial inquiry.