The Battle of Danny Boy, fought on May 14, 2004, near Amarah in southern Iraq, involved a fierce ambush on a patrol of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Approximately 100 soldiers from the Mahdi Army, backed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, initiated the attack.

The Battle and Initial Victory

Facing compromised communications, British troops engaged in a three-hour battle, culminating in a rare bayonet charge. They successfully repelled the attack, inflicting 28 casualties on the enemy and scattering the remaining forces. One soldier was awarded a Military Cross for his bravery during the engagement.

False Allegations and the Al-Sweady Inquiry

Shortly after the battle, a campaign of false accusations emerged, alleging war crimes committed by the British soldiers. Solicitor Phil Shiner, later convicted of fraud, led the effort, utilizing paid intermediaries in Iraq to gather claims of human rights abuses.

A £31 Million Inquiry

These allegations led to a five-year, £31 million inquiry – the Al-Sweady Inquiry – which ultimately exonerated the soldiers. The inquiry revealed that the claimants were, in fact, members of the Mahdi Army who had fabricated their stories. No evidence of summary executions or torture was found, exposing a deliberate attempt to undermine the British Armed Forces.

Lord Hermer's Involvement

Newly disclosed documents reveal a disturbing level of involvement from Richard, Lord Hermer, the current Attorney General. He actively advised Phil Shiner on maximizing the impact of the false claims, even suggesting ways to minimize inconsistencies.

Encouraging Settlements

Hermer encouraged the pursuit of settlements from the Ministry of Defence, despite growing doubts about the validity of the allegations. His actions have been described as ‘shameful’ and potentially ‘treasonable,’ raising questions about his motives and loyalty.

Despite denials from his spokesperson, evidence suggests a calculated effort to exploit the legal system to attack British troops, potentially driven by an anti-war agenda and a desire to damage the UK’s reputation.