Story perspectives

ICC Prosecutor Alleges UK Threatened Funding Over War Crime Investigations

12/13/2025

Summary

Story summary

Karim Khan, the ICC prosecutor, alleges that UK officials, including former foreign secretary David Cameron, threatened to withdraw funding if he pursued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.
This claim arose from Khan's recent submission to the ICC, outlining the pressure he faced.
Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn have called for investigations into the implications of the phone call.
Khan asserts that his investigation into alleged war crimes began in October 2023, supported by a panel of legal experts.

History

Historical Context

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, with the UK contributing £1.5 billion to justice initiatives. In 2014, the ICC reopened investigations into UK forces' actions in Iraq, citing insufficient domestic inquiries. Allegations of UK officials pressuring ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan reflect ongoing tensions between political influence and judicial independence, raising concerns about accountability in international law.

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Story summary

Karim Khan, the ICC prosecutor, alleges that UK officials, including former foreign secretary David Cameron, threatened to withdraw funding if he pursued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.
This claim arose from Khan's recent submission to the ICC, outlining the pressure he faced.
Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn have called for investigations into the implications of the phone call.
Khan asserts that his investigation into alleged war crimes began in October 2023, supported by a panel of legal experts.

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