Al-Sweady Inquiry Report Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Al-Sweady Inquiry Report

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Wednesday 17th December 2014

(9 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Fallon Portrait Michael Fallon
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I am not sure that I should comment on the motives involved—I think that the report speaks for itself in that regard—but I believe that the House would be with me in questioning the motives of some of the advisers involved. I do not think that they have helped the reputation of the British legal system in any respect.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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I welcome the statement. The untrue and false allegations affected the British Army and directly affected these soldiers and their families; for many, they led to both physical and emotional changes. What can be done even now, 10 years later, to undo the untold harm done to the British Army personnel and their families who have been affected?

Michael Fallon Portrait Michael Fallon
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As I have said, I will certainly look at what support was provided to the soldiers against whom the allegations were made and whether we can improve our procedures in that respect. They do now, as of today, have the knowledge that those allegations turned out to be completely untrue, but I think the House will agree that it should not have taken 10 years and all this money for the truth to emerge.