The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

931. From autumn 2005, the PCRU looked for ways to support existing UK stabilisation

operations while continuing to build capacity to undertake possible “but very unlikely”

future large-scale deployments.590

932. At the request of the FCO, the PCRU provided a temporary head for the Political

Section at the British Embassy Office Basra from 9 to 23 December 2005.

933. During March 2006, a member of the PCRU undertook a scoping study for the

UK-led Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), which became operational during

May (see Section 10.2).

934. In April 2006, no UK department or international partner, including the US, had a

budget for PRT running costs. The PCRU filled the gap.591 It agreed to recruit and fund

three staff for a six-week period, including Mr Mark Etherington, the PRT Team Leader,

while discussions continued on funding.592

935. In July 2006, the PCRU’s support to the Basra PRT was extended to July 2007,

at a total cost of £758,000. Most work was expected to be completed by December

2006.593

936. In late July 2006, Mr Richard Teuten, Mr Schulte’s successor as Head of the

PCRU, visited Baghdad and Basra to understand better the stabilisation challenges

in Iraq, assess the PCRU contribution and raise awareness of what the PCRU could

offer.594

937. In September 2006, Mr Teuten reported that, in relation to Iraq, the PCRU had:

• supported PRT management from London;

• provided funding up to December 2006 for three Deployable Civilian Experts

(DCEs): the PRT Team Leader and two support officers;

• helped identify a civilian expert to set up a Prosecution Mentoring Unit in Basra;

• identified and funded a specialist to design a communications strategy in support

of the UK’s Southern Iraq Steering Group; and

590 Paper PCRU, July 2006, ‘Principles for determining where PCRU deploy, what it funds and for

how long’.

591 Minute Middle East and North Africa Department [junior official] to Private Secretary [DFID],

19 April 2006, ‘DOP(I) Briefing, 19 April 2006’ attaching Paper MENAD, 19 April 2006, ‘Iraq Update’.

592 Minute PCRU [junior official] to Private Secretary [DFID], 25 April 2006, ‘Information Note: Basra

Provincial Reconstruction Team & PCRU’.

593 Paper Post Conflict Reconstruction Unit, July 2006, ‘Project Memorandum: PCRU Support for HMG

Engagement in Iraq’.

594 Minute Teuten to PCRU [junior official], 31 July 2006, ‘Visit to Baghdad and Basra 19-25 July’.

514