Johnny Mercer, the UK's Veterans Minister and former Special Boat Service member, has been actively involved in the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan, addressing allegations that the SAS unlawfully killed Afghan civilians. Mercer, who served in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009, testified that he was ‘desperate for some sort of evidence’ to disprove claims of war crimes by the SAS but found none, expressing frustration over senior commanders' ‘unable to answer basic questions’. He accused former Director of Special Forces Roly Walker and Army head Mark Carleton-Smith of concealing information regarding the alleged execution of 33 unarmed Afghans and stated he ‘cannot disprove’ claims Afghans were unlawfully killed. The inquiry also highlighted Mercer's refusal to name officers who informed him of the murder allegations, leading to a warning about potential legal consequences. Additionally, Mercer's testimony revealed that Afghan special forces, known as Triples units, had refused to accompany the SAS on missions due to concerns over the conduct and resulting civilian injuries, including those to children. Mercer also expressed his ‘anger at Ben Wallace’ over Afghanistan death squad claims.
The government's veterans minister has been warned of "potentially serious legal consequences" after he refused to give names to a independent inquiry into alleged murders by UK special forces in Afghanistan Read more🔗 https://t.co/rCrWe8h53z
“Mr Mercer told the inquiry on Wednesday that the way the SAS was operating and the injuries suffered by children in particular had provoked [Afghan special forces] Triples units into refusing to accompany the elite British force on missions.” https://t.co/CGf21NWjkp
Minister tells of anger at Ben Wallace over Afghanistan death squad claims https://t.co/X8rKW6RosO
Minister told off by Afghan inquiry chair over refusal to name officers who told him of murder allegations Read more🔗 https://t.co/JF5HB2D7h0
Explosive evidence from Johnny Mercer to the Afghan inquiry today + a major new headache now for Grant Shapps / No10. Accuses ex-Director of Special Forces Roly Walker and Army head Mark Carleton-Smith of concealing information over whether the SAS executed 33 unarmed Afghans (1)
UK minister says he ‘cannot disprove’ claims Afghans were unlawfully killed https://t.co/c3Z96VC94n
Lindsay Bruce spent years of his life fighting terrorists as a member of the SAS. The former operator sat down with @dhookstead to pull back the curtain on one of the world's most secretive and elite combat units. Buckle up for this one! WATCH: https://t.co/kMkvxngsa7 https://t.co/45WrnOr7Ls
This should be a big warning sign: "Mr Mercer, who served with a Special Boat Service (SBS) task force in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 and attempted to pass selection..." https://t.co/M5rCbQ1Ok9
Afghan forces blocked from UK resettlement which could reportedly prevent witnesses of alleged UK wrongdoing in Afghanistan from giving evidence – BBC https://t.co/ti4t4twaqy https://t.co/AhRygUWX2w
‘Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer told a public inquiry he was "desperate for some sort of evidence" to disprove alleged war crimes by the SAS in Afghanistan but was unable to find any. [SF] commanders were "unable to answer basic questions", he said.’ https://t.co/vIHLTr1Rue
Minister says he tried and failed to disprove alleged SAS war crimes https://t.co/BMD7KSyz62
Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, is giving evidence to the Afghan Inquiry today into claims the SAS killed innocent Afghans. He is expected to say he believed senior commanders lied to him. Our previous story here https://t.co/diWtWBcFh4
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer is about to give evidence at the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan.