British taxpayers pay out almost £20MILLION in compensation to Iraqis injured by UK troops

More than 300 claims were settled with an average of £60,000 per case



Some claimed soldiers had 'violated their intimate space' by shouting at them

Each case was dealt with in the five years the forces were in Iraq from 2003

Bill for 'failed' war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan said to have hit £30bn



Controversial: Around 300 Iraqi citizens have compensation from the Ministry of Defence after complaining about the actions of British soldiers

Taxpayers have forked out around £20million to Iraqi citizens who have made claims against British soldiers.

More than 300 people have received payouts from the Ministry of Defence after complaints were made against members of the armed forces.

The huge cost has been criticised by the government department who say a 'river of money' is going from taxpayers' wallets to law firms representing these citizens.



Among the hundreds of claims is one who said their 'intimate space' was 'violated' after troops shouted at them.

Between 2003 and 2004, almost £5million was paid out while 191 people were given a total of nearly £10million in 2012.



Two law firms, Public Interest Lawyers and Leigh Day & Co, have represented the clients and take home lucrative legal fees once a settlement is reached.



A source from the Ministry of Defence told The Sun: 'There is a river of money going from the Ministry of Defence into the pockets of British lawyers helping Iraqi citizens to sue.



'It has reached obscene levels.'

Earlier this month, defence secretary Philip Hammond condemned the handouts, suggesting it was the result of lawyers 'self-interest'.



Martyn Day, a senior partner at law firm Leigh Day, told the paper: 'There have been many instances of Iraqis receiving the most terrible treatment.



Tax payers face a bill of more than £31million for the public inquiry focused on false allegations that British troops murdered Iraqi prisoners of war and mutilated their bodies.



Cases: One claimed a solider invaded their 'initimate space' when they shouted at them (file picture)

Investigators, including 12 former Scotland Yard detectives, were paid as much as £1,000 a day to probe the unfounded allegations.



Last week a think-tank revealed the cost of Britain’s ‘failed’ war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq has reached almost £30 billion.



A spokesman for the MOD said: 'Whilst we will investigate and take appropriate action when there are credible claims of serious mistreatment and abuse, we will defend ourselves from claims that we believe are without merit.'







