Sir Michael Fallon | SPIN ZHIRA

Sir Michael Fallon has announced that the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) will be wound down over the summer. Sir Michael rightly observes “This will be a relief for our soldiers who have had allegations hanging over them for too long.”

However, he fails to point out that IHAT, which cost the taxpayer £34 million without a single successful prosecution, was funded by his own department, the Ministry of Defence.

Sir Michael could have and should have closed down the Allegations Team much sooner but lacked the necessary courage, determination and leadership. Qualities he demands from his Armed Forces every single day.

SPIN ZHIRA: Old Man in Helmand is the unauthorised, unvarnished and irreverent story of one man’s midlife crisis on the front line of the most dangerous district in Afghanistan where the locals haven’t forgiven the British for the occupation of 1842 or for the Russian Invasion of 1979. Of course, all infidels look the same so you can’t really tell them apart.

‘The best book by a soldier concerning the Afghan War that I have read’
Frank Ledwidge, bestselling author of Losing Small Wars and Investment in Blood

‘SPIN ZHIRA vividly conveys the disjointed essence of modern warfare and the impossibility of balancing the adrenaline of combat with ‘normal’ life. This book brims with authenticity and dark humour.’
Patrick Hennessey, bestselling author of The Junior Officers’ Reading Club and Kandak

‘If you want to read about political and military success in Afghanistan, this book isn’t for you. If you want a fresh perspective from someone who is not a career officer and who is brave enough to bare his soul, then SPIN ZHIRA is a must read.’
Lt Col Richard Dorney, bestselling author of The Killing Zoneand An Active Service

‘Five stars’
SOLDIER The official magazine of the British Army

‘A journey of love, service and adventure. Excellent.’
Amazon Customer

Ten reasons why you should read SPIN ZHIRA.

The BBC reports that Iraq lawyer Phil Shiner has been struck off and ordered to pay interim costs of £250,000 by a tribunal. Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon told the BBC he was ‘delighted’ Shiner had been ‘exposed’, adding ‘the decent thing for him to do now would be to apologise’.

Let’s just remember that this is the same Defence Secretary whose department funds the Iraq Historic Abuse Team and who has, rightly, been accused by Johnny Mercer MP of a terrible betrayal of our servicemen and women.

Phil Shiner is a greedy, unscrupulous wanker who deserves what he gets but Sir Michael should not think for one moment that he is off the hook for his part in this scandal. Instead of showing some leadership and shutting down IHAT he extended its remit to include investigation into alleged abuse in Afghanistan. The decent thing for Sir Michael to do now would be to apologise for the untold misery and suffering his department has funded.

SPIN ZHIRA: Old Man in Helmand is a unique account of the Afghan war as seen through the eyes of a middle-aged man thrust onto the frontline by a failed marriage, financial ruin and the words of John Stuart Mill (1806–1873). A true story of love, service and adventure, it is a compelling examination of choice that explores the landscape of war and commitment to cause and honour, juxtaposed against heartbreaking love for family and the persistent call of the untracked snowfield and its descent into the unknown.

‘The best book by a soldier concerning the Afghan War that I have read’
Frank Ledwidge, bestselling author of Losing Small Wars and Investment in Blood