§ The Solicitor-General (Ms Harriet Harman)My right hon. Friend the Attorney-General has made the following Ministerial Statement.
As I indicated in my written statement to the House on 14 June, Official Report, Lords, columns WS 22–24, this case, which involves an alleged unlawful killing by shooting of an Iraqi citizen during the course of an arrest, was brought to my attention after charges were dismissed by the soldier's commanding officer. This meant the case could not be tried by court martial. I referred it to the CPS who asked the Metropolitan Police for assistance in collecting further evidence.I can confirm that today the Metropolitan Police, on the advice of the CPS, charged Trooper Williams with the murder of Hassan Said on 3 August 2003 in Ad Dayr Iraq. Trooper Williams has been kept in custody to appear at Bow Street magistrates court this afternoon.Trooper Williams is a member of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.