Soldiers have been granted immunity from prosecution based on what they tell a public inquiry into the death of an Iraqi civilian in British military custody, it emerged today.
Attorney General Baroness Scotland agreed that witnesses' own evidence could not be used against them in criminal proceedings, including courts martial.
But they could still be prosecuted if other people come forward to the inquiry with credible i
nformation about how hotel receptionist Baha Mousa died in 2003.
Inquiry chairman Sir William Gage made an opening statement today about how the investigation will be run when it formally begins next year.
He said he had successfully asked Baroness Scotland for a promise that witnesses could not incriminate themselves by giving oral or written evidence to the inquiry.
"No person giving evidence before me need fear that his or her evidence can itself be used as evidence against him or herself in any criminal proceedings," Sir William told the preliminary hearing in central London.
Officials said the move was modelled most closely on undertakings granted in the public inquiries into the deaths of Rosemary Nelson and Robert Hamill in Northern Ireland.
Inquiry secretary Lee Hughes stressed after today's hearing: "It isn't a guarantee against prosecution... It's only your own evidence that can't be used against you."
The full article contains 221 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
