Written question asked by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) on Tuesday, 14 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 June 2005. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 20 June 2005 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Camp Breadbasket

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, what action the Government has taken as a result of the witness statements from Camp Breadbasket victims sent to the Attorney General earlier this year.

Answer: Three short unsigned draft witness statements were provided by a solicitor Mr. Phil Shiner to the Army Prosecuting Authority. The prosecutor decided not to seek an adjournment because there was inadequate evidence to confirm the authenticity of the statements, the trial was at an advanced state, and it was not possible to ascertain the required length of the potential adjournment as there was insufficient information to identify the whereabouts of the makers. As the statements appear to support charges other than those before the court, if the witnesses can be identified, further charges can be brought. The material was provided to the defence who also took the view that they did not wish to seek an adjournment, so the trial continued. The Judge Advocate was made aware of the existence of the material but was not asked for any ruling on it. The material was passed to the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police who have twice written to Mr. Shiner to seek his assistance in identifying the makers of the draft statements. This has proved difficult because though they are identified by name and employment, no address is provided and so it is not possible to trace them. Mr. Shiner replied on 21 April saying that he would provide a substantive reply within 28 days. No further reply has been received. While the RMP will seek to trace the makers of the draft statements, on the basis of the scant information provided it may not be possible.

Secondary information