Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT)

What is IHAT?

The Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) is an organisation set up to review and investigate allegations of abuse by Iraqi civilians by UK armed forces personnel in Iraq during the period of 2003 to July 2009.

The alleged offences range from murder to low-level violence and the time period covers the start of the military campaign in Iraq, in March 2003, through the major combat operations of April 2003 and the following years spent maintaining security as part of the Multi-National Force and mentoring and training Iraqi security forces.

The unit is led by retired senior civilian police detective, Mark Warwick, and comprises some 145 employees, including Royal Navy Police personnel, civilian investigators and civil servants. IHAT is independent of the military chain of command for the purposes of its investigations which are due to be complete by the end of 2019.

There are 2 strands of investigation within IHAT; one focuses on allegations of unlawful killing and the other on allegations of mistreatment. A Command Team, an Intelligence Cell and a Major Incident Room (MIR) support the two strands of investigation. With more than 1,000 allegations to consider across these 2 categories, this support is essential to ensure the best quality and most efficient use of resources.

Once an investigation is complete the findings are referred to the relevant authority and any cases identifying credible evidence of potential serious criminal acts are referred to the Director of Service Prosecutions in accordance with the Armed Forces Act 2006. For more information on how the military criminal justice system works, please see the website of the Service Prosecuting Authority.

Aims and values

The aim of the IHAT is to:

Work with investigative independence but in partnership with other key organisations to deliver an effective criminal investigation into allegations of murder, abuse and torture.

This is a vital constituent part of the UK’s obligation to conduct a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) compliant investigation into these allegations.

Our values, culture and professionalism are shared by all members of the organisation and underpin the delivery of our aim and objectives.

Values:

  • treat everyone fairly and with respect
  • act with confidence and integrity
  • have pride in delivering a high quality investigation
  • engage, listen and respond
  • learn from our experiences and strive for continual improvement

Allegations under investigation

To see information on the cases being investigated by IHAT, please refer to this table.

Baha Mousa review team

In addition to the cases listed above IHAT was tasked with reviewing the report into the death of Baha Mousa, a hotel receptionist who died whilst in the custody of the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment in 2003.

In March 2012, following the completion of the Public Inquiry under Sir William Gage in September 2011, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces announced that the IHAT should conduct a review of the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry report. A small team dedicated 12 months to reviewing the available evidence from the previous investigations and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Baha Mousa’s death. The review team reported on 1 May 2013 and this resulted in the decision to begin further investigations. Whilst it is impossible to say when these will be complete, IHAT is working hard to ensure work continues efficiently and without delay.

Work completed

A table of work completed by IHAT is available here.

Statements on investigations

A list of statements issued by IHAT on its investigations is available here.

Quarterly updates

A written summary issued by IHAT on progress made is available here.

Support services for ex-service personnel

IHAT has a responsibility to make sure that the people we contact during the course of our investigations know how to access support, should they need help dealing with issues such as PTSD. The map document is a comprehensive guide to services provided, normally by the NHS or a charity, according to the geography of the British Isles.

Contact us

You can write to IHAT at the following address:

Iraq Historic Allegations Team
Building 398
Trenchard Lines
Upavon
Wiltshire SN9 6BE

Or telephone 01980 615857

To report information confidentially to the investigation team telephone 01980 618843

For information on our complaints policy and procedure, please email
ihat-ops-support-team@mod.uk including a daytime phone number and details of your query.