Sir Thayne Forbes, door tenant at Atkin Chambers, has been announced by Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth as Chairman of the public inquiry into allegations relating to the unlawful killing and mistreatment of Iraqi detainees by British soldiers at UK bases in 2004, following a firefightknown as the Battle of Danny Boy.
Former High Court judge Sir Thayne, who conducted the trial of serial killer Harold Shipman whilst Presiding Judge of the Northern Circuit, has been asked to investigate and report on allegations against British soldiers of unlawful killing at Camp Abu Naji on 14 and 15 May 2004, and ill-treatment of five Iraqis between 14 May and 23 September 2004. Named after one of the Iraqis who died, the Al Sweady inquiry, as it is known, is the result of failings in the MOD’s disclosure during judicial review proceedings in 2007.
Sir Thayne Forbes, who left the High Court Bench last year, has been a door tenant at Atkin Chambers since retiring as a judge.
Jonathan Acton Davis QC had been appointed as Counsel to the inquiry. His career highlights include recentlyadvising and acting for the British government in a number of mediations and trials for DEFRA against contractors arising out of the foot and mouth outbreak.
