Did Tony Blair influence trial of UK soldiers accused of killing Iraqi man?

"Government files suggest former UK prime minister pressured officials to prevent soldiers from being tried in civil courts. The United Kingdom's role in the Iraq war has come under the spotlight once again, as newly released UK government files appear to suggest that former Prime Minister Tony Blair pressured officials to ensure British soldiers accused of mistreating Iraqi civilians during the war would not be tried in civil courts."

"The decision to join the war in Iraq, launched by the United States with the UK in full support, in March 2003, has become one of the UK's most widely investigated and criticised foreign policy decisions. The Iraq war continued until December 2011. During that time, more than 200,000 Iraqi civilians, 179 British soldiers and more than 4,000 US soldiers were killed."

"On December 30, the UK Cabinet Office released more than 600 documents to the National Archives at Kew. According to the UK's Public Records Act 1958, the government is required to release records of historical value to the National Archives after 20 years. According to the National Archives website, most of the newly added documents relate to the policies implemented by the Blair government between 2004 and 2005, from domestic decisions to ensure the UK would not break up by delegating power to Wales and Scotland, to foreign policy decisions on Iraq and other countries."

Newly released government files indicate that Tony Blair pressured officials in 2005 to prevent international courts such as the ICC from investigating UK actions in Iraq and to avoid civil trials for British soldiers accused of mistreatment. The UK Cabinet Office released over 600 documents to the National Archives under the Public Records Act 1958, covering policies from 2004–2005, including domestic devolution issues and foreign policy on Iraq. The decision to join the 2003 Iraq war, conducted with US leadership, resulted in extensive casualties and sustained controversies. The ICC ended inquiries into British actions in Iraq in 2020.

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