The European Convention on Human Rights does apply to the case of an Iraqi man who died while in the custody of British troops, the House of Lords ruled today.

THE family of an Iraqi civilian allegedly unlawfully killed by British troops while in custody won a “historic” human rights ruling yesterday which opens the way for an independent investigation into his death.

The “dying moments” of hotel worker Baha Mousa alleged by an eye witness to have been killed by British troops after being arrested were revealed during the High Court hearing in July.