Phil Shiner, a former human rights lawyer, received a suspended sentence for fraud linked to false abuse claims against British troops in Iraq, avoiding jail time.
London: So, here’s the scoop. Phil Shiner, a former human rights lawyer, just dodged jail time over some serious fraud charges. This guy was linked to false abuse claims against British soldiers during the Iraq War. Can you believe it?
He was already in hot water, getting kicked out as a solicitor back in 2017 for misconduct. Fast forward to now, and he’s been handed a two-year suspended sentence instead of prison time. The judge said he wasn’t driven by greed, which is a bit surprising, right?
Shiner, who’s 67, had an agent cold-calling potential clients in Iraq, trying to drum up business. The judge noted that while there was dishonesty, Shiner got a bit too caught up in his clients’ cause. He’s already faced a lot of personal and professional fallout, so the judge thought sending him to jail wasn’t necessary.
But not everyone is happy about this. A former soldier, Robert Campbell, expressed his disgust, saying Shiner’s actions have had a lasting impact on many lives. Others, like former Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer, called him a “modern-day traitor.”
Shiner’s actions led to a massive inquiry that cost taxpayers millions, and the judge made it clear that the fraud wasn’t about the inquiry itself. It’s a wild situation, and the fallout from his actions is still being felt today.