The Metropolitan Police Service has reportedly reversed its decision to close a war crimes probe into Britons who served in the IDF, Declassified UK reported exclusively on Thursday.
The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) submitted a 240-page referral in August 2025. The report alleged that 10 UK nationals, including dual citizens, had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity while fighting for the IDF in Gaza.
The Met initially narrowed its focus to four British nationals, whose names have not been disclosed, before announcing in April 2026 that it would not pursue any criminal investigation.
At the time, the Met said an effective investigation could not be conducted, and there was no realistic prospect of convictions.
Metropolitan police undertaking 'fresh scoping exercise' in relation to IDF veterans
However, according to Declassified UK, the Met told PLIC last week that it was carrying out “a fresh scoping exercise” in relation to the four UK nationals.
Scoping exercises are undertaken by the Met’s war crimes team, which is housed within Counter Terrorism Command (SO15), to decide whether to conduct a full investigation.
Human rights lawyer Michael Mansfield KC, who supported the initial referral, said: “Allegations of war crimes must be investigated irrespective of the nationality of those accused or the political sensitivities surrounding the conflict.
“The Metropolitan Police’s decision to revisit its earlier conclusion is therefore to be welcomed. It provides an opportunity for a fresh and independent assessment based upon all available evidence. That is precisely what justice requires.”
The Jerusalem Post reached out to the Met for confirmation, but it had not responded by press time.