Blog：UK army ‘rotten’, Iraq probe told
British soldiers who abused an Iraqi detainee who died in their custody were not just “a few bad apples”, a public inquiry has been told.
There was “something rotten in the whole barrel”, Rabinder Singh QC said.
Troops in Iraq routinely used banned interrogation methods they did not think were illegal, lawyers told the inquiry into the 2003 death.
The inquiry, led by Sir William Gage, is focusing on Baha Mousa’s death, detainees’ treatment and army methods.
Mr Singh, counsel for Mr Mousa’s family and the other Iraqis detained alongside him, said: “This case is not just about beatings or a few bad apples.
“There is something rotten in the whole barrel.”
His comments came as legal teams for key parties were allowed to read statements to the inquiry.
It has already heard of the abuse Mr Mousa and his fellow detainees suffered.
A short video showing Cpl Donald Payne shouting obscenities at the hooded Iraqi prisoners calling them “apes” has also been played.
In 2007, Cpl Payne was jailed for a year and dismissed from the Army after being convicted of war crimes charges related to the death.
On Monday, Mr Singh told the inquiry: “The official version of events was that nothing on that video was in fact illegal
