A lawyer whose firm has brought hundreds of claims against British troops and was partly blamed for the collapse of a multi-million pound inquiry into war crimes has been charged by the solicitors’ professional body.

Phil Shiner, from Public Interest Lawyers, is believed to be facing the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over his firm’s alleged involvement in false claims being made against British troops by Iraqis.

Mr Shiner had been attempting to be keep proceedings private but this was challenged by a number of national newspapers at a hearing in London yesterday, according to the Daily Mail. After four hours, a three-strong panel decided the charge could be made public.

Public Interest Lawyers has brought forward nearly 200 compensation claims from Iraqis and more than 1,100 cases of alleged wrongdoing and killings by British military personnel.