{"url":"https://telegraph.co.uk/","title":"Hermer led witch hunt on troops despite lies warning","domain":"telegraph.co.uk","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/8850626/pexels-photo-8850626.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"ukpolitics","category":"World","language":"en","slug":"6ab3c2c9","id":"6ab3c2c9-ddce-484a-a860-cb7736719949","description":"Hermer Role: The Telegraph alleges Attorney General Lord Hermer led civil claims against British troops over false Iraqi torture allegations after the 2004","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Hermer Role:** The Telegraph alleges Attorney General Lord Hermer led civil claims against British troops over false Iraqi torture allegations after the 2004 Battle of Danny Boy.[[1]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o)[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n- **Inquiry Cost:** The Al-Sweady public inquiry into the claims cost £31 million before ruling allegations deliberate lies in 2014.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n- **Veterans' Reaction:** Accused soldiers, including Military Cross recipient Brian Wood, demand Hermer resign from his government post.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe Telegraph's exclusive investigation claims Lord Hermer, now Attorney General under Sir Keir Starmer, acted as lead counsel for eight Iraqi claimants in civil suits against the Ministry of Defence, pushing for settlements despite warnings their stories of torture and murder by British troops were fabricated. The case links to the Battle of Danny Boy in Iraq on May 14, 2004, where Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders fought Mahdi Army insurgents. It is reported now amid Hermer's prominent government role and recent political scrutiny of Starmer allies. The Al-Sweady inquiry in 2014 exonerated the troops.[[1]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o)[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n\n## Key points\n- Lord Hermer represented eight Iraqis on a no-win no-fee basis from 2008-2013, advising on media strategy and pushing for £45,000-£55,000 settlements per claimant described as \"low risk.\"[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n- Claimants alleged British troops tortured and executed civilians post-Battle of Danny Boy; inquiry found them to be Mahdi Army militants whose lies stemmed from hostility to the British Army.[[1]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o)[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n- By March 2013, solicitor Martyn Day warned Hermer claims were likely \"nonsense\" and clients \"lying,\" yet pursuit continued, per Telegraph's review of 25,000+ pages of documents.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n- Al-Sweady inquiry (2009-2014) cost £31 million, ruled serious allegations \"wholly without foundation\"; lead lawyer Phil Shiner was struck off for fraud.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n- Hermer's spokesman says involvement was minimal (few hours), always professional, and denies knowledge claims were false; no wrongdoing suggested.[[1]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o)[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n\n## Details and context\nThe Battle of Danny Boy saw British forces from Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment ambushed by around 100 Mahdi Army insurgents near Amarah; 28 insurgents killed, British troops wounded but no fatalities.[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Danny_Boy) Rumours spread locally of mistreatment, leading to claims by Phil Shiner's firm that up to 20 Iraqis were captured, tortured, and murdered at Camp Abu Naji.[[1]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o)\n\nHermer worked with Shiner and Day, suggesting \"wriggle room if killings did not happen\" and ways to heighten media interest in execution claims; Day privately called clients \"lying Bs\" but pressed ahead.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies) Troops like Lance Corporal Brian Wood, awarded Military Cross by the Queen, faced decade of scrutiny until exoneration.\n\nThe inquiry confirmed detainees were combatants, not civilians; some ill-treatment of nine occurred but no murders.[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Sweady_Inquiry) Hermer denies impropriety, noting lawyers represent clients regardless of character.\n\n## Key quotes\n\"Hemer pursued a 'witch hunt' against troops despite warnings\" – The Daily Telegraph front-page summary, per BBC report.[[1]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o)\n\n\"I have gone through hell for years. It's disgusting that Hermer is Attorney General.\" – Lance Corporal Brian Wood, accused soldier awarded Military Cross.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n\n\"He had always acted with the highest professional standards, and the suggestion the Attorney acted for individuals with the knowledge that their claims were false is categorically untrue.\" – Lord Hermer's spokesman.[[1]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o)\n\n## Why it matters\nThe story revives debate on legal pursuits against British veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan wars, highlighting costs and trauma of debunked claims. For soldiers and families, it underscores ongoing fears of prosecution; for government, it questions suitability of human rights lawyers like Hermer in top legal roles advising on military matters. Watch for any Bar Standards Board probe or Hermer's response, though allies say no misconduct occurred.\n\n## What changed\nBefore the 2014 Al-Sweady inquiry report, British troops faced decade-long accusations of murder and torture from Iraqi claimants represented by Hermer. The inquiry ruled claims \"deliberate lies,\" fully exonerating soldiers while confirming some mistreatment of combatants. Report published December 17, 2014.\n\n## FAQ\nQ: What was Lord Hermer's specific involvement in the Al-Sweady claims?\nA: He acted as lead counsel for eight Iraqi clients in civil suits against the MoD from 2008-2013, advising on settlements of £45,000-£55,000 each, media strategy, and needing flexibility if killings proved false, per documents reviewed by The Telegraph. His role was limited to a few hours total. Troops were later cleared.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n\nQ: Why were the Iraqi allegations ruled false?\nA: The £31 million Al-Sweady inquiry found claimants were Mahdi Army insurgents, not civilians, motivated by hostility; serious murder/torture claims were \"wholly without foundation and entirely the product of deliberate lies.\" Some ill-treatment occurred but no executions.[[1]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o)[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n\nQ: What happened to the lawyers involved?\nA: Phil Shiner, who brought initial claims, was struck off the legal register and convicted of fraud; Martyn Day warned of lies but continued. Hermer denies wrongdoing, with minimal involvement claimed.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n\nQ: How did veterans react to the Hermer revelations?\nA: Lance Corporal Brian Wood called it \"disgusting\" Hermer holds Attorney General post after pursuing \"people trying to kill us\"; lawyer Hilary Meredith called for Bar investigation of \"worst case\" for soldiers.[[2]](https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[[5]](https://telegraph.co.uk/)","hashtags":["#ukpolitics","#britisharmy","#iraqwar","#veterans","#attorneygeneral"],"sources":[{"url":"https://telegraph.co.uk/","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxq4ngvg6o","title":""},{"url":"https://www.gbnews.com/news/lord-hermer-accused-of-witch-hunt-against-british-troops-despite-being-warned-allegations-were-lies","title":""},{"url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Danny_Boy","title":""},{"url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Sweady_Inquiry","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-23T15:49:13.088Z","createdAt":"2026-04-23T15:49:13.088Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-23T00:00:00.000Z"}