Letter: Rare ex-gratia payments by US
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Lord Kennet's letter (30 October) concerning the compensation offered by the US authorities to the relatives of the British officers recently killed over northern Iraq asks a number of questions, not all of which can be answered here. There are, however, some important points which I should like to emphasise.
The US authorities conducted an extremely thorough investigation of the events surrounding this tragic event, and their findings were published in full on 13 July. Two senior British officials, one legal and one military, played a full part in the inquiry and the next of kin of the two British officers were briefed in advance of publication by the US authorities.
Of course, whether those found to be responsible are prosecuted is a matter for the US authorities, but we have no reason to believe that they will not proceed with the same thoroughness and candour that they have shown to date.
It is important also to realise that ex-gratia payments of the nature being offered by the US authorities are not required by law and are extremely rare. The US Defense Secretary's decision is a humanitarian action and should be welcomed as such. Payments of dollars 100,000 are being offered only to the relatives of all those non- US nationals killed on 13 July.
Yours sincerely,
NICHOLAS SOAMES
Minister of State for
the Armed Forces
Ministry of
Defence
London, SW1
30 August
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments