British soldiers who have been accused of committing war crimes in Iraq were unlikely to face criminal prosecution, an official has said.

Independent investigators were asked to look at thousands of allegations made against the British military after the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

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But Andrew Cayley, the Director of the Service Prosecution Authority (SPA), said just one remaining case was being examined.

He said the "low level" of offending and lack of credible evidence had led most cases to be dismissed.

Cayley said most of those cases were sifted out at a very early stage because of the lack of credible evidence or because the offending was "at such a very low level".

<img alt="Soldiers" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2be3b13f-01a4-48a0-a61b-f9eea6b7f225" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/_90192549_hi006617939.jpg" />

More than 1,000 cases were made by former lawyer Phil Shiner and his firm Public Interest Lawyers (PIL).

In 2017 he was struck off as a solicitor after a tribunal found him guilty of misconduct and dishonesty, including false accounts about the actions of UK soldiers.

Cayley said seven remaining cases had been referred to the SPA, but in six of those cases it was concluded that no charges should be brought.

One case is still being considered, but he admitted that it was now "quite possible" that none of the original allegations will lead to a prosecution.

Cayley said&nbsp;that he was confident a separate investigation being conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague will conclude this year without further action being taken.

In 2014, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda re-opened a preliminary examination of cases involving alleged British abuses in Iraq.

Earlier this year the government presented a bill promising to curb historic allegations and tackle what it calls "vexatious claims" against armed forces deployed overseas.

The bill proposes a five-year time limit on any criminal prosecution unless compelling new evidence is brought to light.

British soldiers who have been accused of committing war crimes in Iraq were unlikely to face criminal prosecution, an official has said. Independent investigators were asked to look at thousands of allegations made against the British military after the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

British soldiers who have been accused of committing war crimes in Iraq were unlikely to face criminal prosecution, an official has said. Independent investigators were asked to look at thousands of allegations made against the British military after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Also read: One-day coronavirus deaths in US surpasses 9/11, Iraq war toll But Andrew Cayley, the Director of the Service Prosecution Authority (SPA), said just one remaining case was being examined. He said the "low level" of offending and lack of credible evidence had led most cases to be dismissed. Cayley said most of those cases were sifted out at a very early stage because of the lack of credible evidence or because the offending was "at such a very low level". More than 1,000 cases were made by former lawyer Phil Shiner and his firm Public Interest Lawyers (PIL). In 2017 he was struck off as a solicitor after a tribunal found him guilty of misconduct and dishonesty, including false accounts about the actions of UK soldiers. Cayley said seven remaining cases had been referred to the SPA, but in six of those cases it was concluded that no charges should be brought. One case is still being considered, but he admitted that it was now "quite possible" that none of the original allegations will lead to a prosecution. Cayley said that he was confident a separate investigation being conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague will conclude this year without further action being taken. In 2014, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda re-opened a preliminary examination of cases involving alleged British abuses in Iraq. Earlier this year the government presented a bill promising to curb historic allegations and tackle what it calls "vexatious claims" against armed forces deployed overseas. The bill proposes a five-year time limit on any criminal prosecution unless compelling new evidence is brought to light.

British soldiers unlikely to be prosecuted over Iraq war crimes

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Friday said US airstrikes in Iraq were a "proportionate" response to the deaths of two Americans and one Briton in a rocket attack.

The Pentagon said the strikes were against the pro-Iranian Kataeb Hezbollah armed faction in response to the death of the three soldiers on the Taji airbase on Wednesday.

"The response to the cowardly attack on coalition forces in Iraq has been swift, decisive and proportionate," Raab said in a statement.

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"We will continue working with our partners to ensure those responsible for these deplorable acts will be held to account.

"UK forces are in Iraq with coalition partners to help the country counter-terrorist activity and anyone seeking to harm them can expect a strong response."

The British soldier killed has been named by the defence ministry as Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon, a 26-year-old reservist.

A self-employed sports physiotherapist in civilian life, she had been working as a combat medical technician.

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"She was larger than life soldier who was determined to deploy on operations, help others, develop herself and gain practical experience," her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Leek said in a statement.

"She had already achieved a great deal in her relatively short time with us and it was abundantly clear that she was destined for great things in her civilian and military careers.

"Her loss is keenly felt."

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Friday said US airstrikes in Iraq were a "proportionate" response to the deaths of two Americans and one Briton in a rocket attack.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Friday said US airstrikes in Iraq were a "proportionate" response to the deaths of two Americans and one Briton in a rocket attack. The Pentagon said the strikes were against the pro-Iranian Kataeb Hezbollah armed faction in response to the death of the three soldiers on the Taji airbase on Wednesday. "The response to the cowardly attack on coalition forces in Iraq has been swift, decisive and proportionate," Raab said in a statement. Also Read: East Syria strike kills 26 Iraqi fighters: Monitor "We will continue working with our partners to ensure those responsible for these deplorable acts will be held to account. "UK forces are in Iraq with coalition partners to help the country counter-terrorist activity and anyone seeking to harm them can expect a strong response." The British soldier killed has been named by the defence ministry as Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon, a 26-year-old reservist. A self-employed sports physiotherapist in civilian life, she had been working as a combat medical technician. Also Read: Syria war enters 10th year with no hope in sight "She was larger than life soldier who was determined to deploy on operations, help others, develop herself and gain practical experience," her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Leek said in a statement. "She had already achieved a great deal in her relatively short time with us and it was abundantly clear that she was destined for great things in her civilian and military careers. "Her loss is keenly felt."

UK says US strikes in Iraq 'proportionate' response

The UK government and military covered up credible evidence of war crimes by British soldiers against civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to an investigation by the BBC and the Sunday Times.

Leaks from two government-ordered inquiries into the conduct of troops in the conflicts implicated troops in the killing of children and torture of civilians, the investigation found.

The allegations include murders by a soldier from the elite SAS unit, as well as deaths in custody, beatings, torture and sexual abuse of detainees by members of the Black Watch infantry unit.

Military detectives who unearthed evidence of the alleged war crimes told the year-long investigation by the newspaper and the BBC's Panorama programme that seniors commanders hid it "for political reasons".

"The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had no intention of prosecuting any soldier of whatever rank he was unless it was absolutely necessary, and they couldn't wriggle their way out of it," an investigator told the BBC.

The MoD said the allegations were "untrue" and that the decisions of prosecutors and investigators were "independent" and involved "external oversight and legal advice".

The accusations emerged from two war crimes inquiries -- the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Operation Northmoor, which dealt with Afghanistan -- which ended in 2017 without any prosecutions.

The government closed the probes after a solicitor, Phil Shiner, who had recorded hundreds of allegations, was struck off from practising law amid claims he had paid people in Iraq to find clients.

Amnesty International criticised the decision at the time and some former IHAT and Operation Northmoor investigators now allege Shiner's actions were used as an excuse to close down the inquiries as they found wrongdoing at high levels.

The Sunday Times reported military detectives discovered allegations of falsified documents that were "serious enough to merit prosecutions of senior officers".

It reported one of the SAS's most senior commanders was referred to prosecutors for attempting to pervert the course of justice before the inquiries were ended.

The newspaper said the revelations could result in a war crimes investigation at the International Criminal Court if Britain was deemed to have failed to hold its military to account.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC on Sunday that despite the lack of any prosecutions, it had "got the right balance" in ensuring "spurious claims" were not pursued.

The UK government and military covered up credible evidence of war crimes by British soldiers against civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to an investigation by the BBC and the Sunday Times.

The UK government and military covered up credible evidence of war crimes by British soldiers against civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to an investigation by the BBC and the Sunday Times. Leaks from two government-ordered inquiries into the conduct of troops in the conflicts implicated troops in the killing of children and torture of civilians, the investigation found. The allegations include murders by a soldier from the elite SAS unit, as well as deaths in custody, beatings, torture and sexual abuse of detainees by members of the Black Watch infantry unit. Military detectives who unearthed evidence of the alleged war crimes told the year-long investigation by the newspaper and the BBC's Panorama programme that seniors commanders hid it "for political reasons". "The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had no intention of prosecuting any soldier of whatever rank he was unless it was absolutely necessary, and they couldn't wriggle their way out of it," an investigator told the BBC. The MoD said the allegations were "untrue" and that the decisions of prosecutors and investigators were "independent" and involved "external oversight and legal advice". The accusations emerged from two war crimes inquiries -- the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Operation Northmoor, which dealt with Afghanistan -- which ended in 2017 without any prosecutions. The government closed the probes after a solicitor, Phil Shiner, who had recorded hundreds of allegations, was struck off from practising law amid claims he had paid people in Iraq to find clients. Amnesty International criticised the decision at the time and some former IHAT and Operation Northmoor investigators now allege Shiner's actions were used as an excuse to close down the inquiries as they found wrongdoing at high levels. The Sunday Times reported military detectives discovered allegations of falsified documents that were "serious enough to merit prosecutions of senior officers". It reported one of the SAS's most senior commanders was referred to prosecutors for attempting to pervert the course of justice before the inquiries were ended. The newspaper said the revelations could result in a war crimes investigation at the International Criminal Court if Britain was deemed to have failed to hold its military to account. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC on Sunday that despite the lack of any prosecutions, it had "got the right balance" in ensuring "spurious claims" were not pursued.

UK government and military covered up war crimes in Afghanistan, Iraq: Report

The human cost of the three-month conflict over Imphal and Kohima was immense. Thirty thousand Japanese died in the campaign, Of the 6,000 INA who fought, 2,000 died.

When Indian and British soldiers defeated Japan in World War-II