Gulf War hostages set to take legal action
British Airways passengers and crew taken hostage in Kuwait are set to take legal action against the government and the airline, lawyers say.
Barry Manners, from Kent, was among passengers on a British Airways flight to Malaysia that landed in Kuwait to refuel in 1990 as Iraqi forces invaded.
McCue Jury and Partners said it is representing victims who want to ensure “the truth is fully disclosed”.
BA said government records showed it had not been warned about the invasion.
The government said the blame “lies entirely with the government of Iraq at the time”.
British Airways Flight 149 touched down at Kuwait International Airport in the early hours of August 2 1990 as Iraqi armed forces were invading.
More than 300 people onboard were detained by Iraqi troops, marking the start of an ordeal lasting almost five months as they were used by Saddam Hussein as “human shields” against western attacks.
Those on board suffered abuse, violence, and even mock executions.
Mr Manners, who lives in Botany Bay in Kent, has previously said: “There were a couple of occasions when I was told I was going to be shot, the guard came out in a rage, kicked me around a bit, put a gun against my head and pulled the trigger a few inches away.” —BBC
