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Johnny Mercer has stated he’s challenging an order to hand over the names of those that advised him about alleged particular forces murders in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Inquiry chairman Sir Charles Haddon-Cave gave the veterans’ minister till April 5 to hand over the names or face a possible jail sentence of up to two years.
During Mr Mercer’s proof to the inquiry final month, the chairman stated his determination to “refuse to answer legitimate questions… at a public inquiry” have been “disappointing… surprising… and completely unacceptable”.
Johnny Mercer stated the ‘one thing you can hold on to is your integrity’
(PA Wire)
It got here after Mr Mercer repeatedly refused to hand over names of “multiple officers” who advised him about allegations of homicide and a cover-up throughout his time as a backbench MP.
The Plymouth MP on Tuesday posted on X: “I am aware of tomorrow’s deadline from the Afghan Inquiry order that requires me to name the whistleblowers who confided in me.
“I am submitting an application to challenge the order under section 21(4) of the Inquiries Act 2005 seeking to have the Section 21 notice set aside.
“It would not be appropriate to comment further.”
The one factor you’ll be able to maintain on to is your integrity and I shall be doing that with these people
Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer
Giving his purpose for not disclosing the names, he advised counsel to the inquiry Oliver Glasgow KC final month: “The one thing you can hold on to is your integrity and I will be doing that with these individuals.”
The inquiry stated Mr Mercer was served with a Section 21 discover on March 13, compelling him to hand over the names, which the inquiry has stated shall be “treated in confidence”.
In the order, the chairman stated the implications of failing to comply with out affordable excuse could be “a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment and/or a fine”.
The unbiased inquiry into allegations of illegal killings by UK particular forces in Afghanistan started on Monday (Andrew Matthews/PA)
(PA Archive)
Before giving him the order, Sir Charles had advised the minister: “You need to decide which side you are really on, Mr Mercer.
He accused the minister, who served in the Special Boat Service (SBS) task force in Afghanistan between 2008 and 2009, of having a “misguided understanding of the term integrity and an inappropriate sense of loyalty” by refusing to title names.
The inquiry is inspecting whether or not a particular forces unit, recognized to the probe as UKSF1, had a coverage of executing males of “fighting age” who posed no risk in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.
Afghan households have accused UK particular forces of conducting a “campaign of murder” in opposition to civilians, whereas senior officers and personnel on the Ministry of Defence have been accused of searching for to “prevent adequate investigation”.
Two Royal Military Police investigations, codenamed Operation Northmoor and Operation Cestro, are set to be scrutinised by the inquiry.
No costs have been introduced underneath Operation Northmoor – a £10 million investigation which was arrange in 2014 to look at allegations of executions by particular forces, together with these of kids.
Operation Cestro noticed three troopers referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority, however none of them have been prosecuted.
The inquiry continues.
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