DOZENS of British soldiers are still being probed over 127 Iraq War allegations, despite the government’s vow to end the witch hunt.
Latest figures show the allegations are related to 27 incidents in the years following the US-led invasion in 2003.
So far, £40million has been spent investigating British troops over a ten-year period – but not one soldier has been prosecuted, reports Mail Online.
The probe is being carried out by the Service Police Legacy Investigations (SPLI), which took over from the controversial Iraq Historical Allegations Team (IHAT).
In February 2017, then Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon announced the hated IHAT probe would close with the total remaining cases set to drop to around 20.
He predicted those inquiries would be closed by military police in 2018.
IHAT was shut in June 2017, but Ministry of Defence figures from June this year show soldiers are being probed by SPLI.
The unit is made up of 40 military police, 20 contractors and ten civil servants.
Fifteen of the 27 incidents are under full investigation.
The remaining incidents are considered “directed lines of inquiry”, which means the case is at an early stage.
While only ten cases were closed in a six-month period.
News of the ongoing probe has angered ex soldiers.
Decorated Army major Robert Campbell, who has faced repeated investigations over the drowning of an Iraqi teenager, said the figures could suggest a “cover-up”.
He told the Mail: “There is no reason to withhold that information, so obviously it’s embarrassing to the Ministry of Defence.
“It might be a cover-up because they are putting people under surveillance again. Who do the accused turn to though? Obviously the Army doesn’t care, nor does the MoD, so who looks after their interests?’
Previously, sources said Prince Harry was furious over the treatment of British troops hounded by spurious war crime claims.
The royal, who served two tours of Afghanistan and is a former attack chopper pilot, told campaigners he’d like to see more support for heroes facing prosecution.
An MoD spokesman said: “Our armed forces served with bravery and distinction, and we rightly hold them to the highest standards.
“Where there are credible claims of criminal behaviour, it is right they are investigated.”
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