British Lawyer To Defend Saddam Hussein

It seems that Anthony Scrivener QC, a top British lawyer, may defend Saddam Hussein in his forthcoming trial which starts on the 19th of October.

Anthony Scrivener QC, who helped free four wrongly convicted Irish prisoners known as the Guildford Four, will travel to Baghdad to represent Saddam.

Although it is confirmed that Scrivener has been approached to take the job, it is still not yet clear as to whether he has accepted the role.

Senior clerk at Scrivener's chambers, Martin Hart, is quoted as saying:

"Mr. Scrivener has been approached by the people involved in the case but it is wrong to say that he has been instructed on the case."

He added:

"He cannot comment about any case, whether it be Saddam Hussein or Mrs Mop, even if he has not yet taken it. There is a possibility he might take this case, so it would be inappropriate to comment."

The legal team, who will defend Saddam, has been put together by Iraqi born barrister Abdul Haq Al Ani.

Al Ani reportedly told the BBC:

"He (Saddam) is in high spirits and he is very defiant. The man is very, very tough mentally."

The basis of the defence's case will be the argument that any executions approved of by Saddam were no different to the approval given by a US governor, under similar circumstances.

It is noted that President George W. Bush approved of 152 executions when he was governor of Texas.

The defence will also argue that, as head of state, Saddam enjoyed full immunity.