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Investigation into SAS Allegations Highlights Ministry of Defence Concerns
In a recent public inquiry regarding allegations of unlawful killings by the SAS in Afghanistan, former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace revealed that his permanent secretary, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, had cautioned against the investigation. The official characterized the inquiry as potentially “expensive, unproductive, and extremely damaging” to the reputation of the British military.
This advice was disclosed during Wallace’s testimony at the inquiry he eventually chose to commission, following serious claims that around 80 Afghan civilians may have been executed by members of the elite unit. The hearing brought to light long-standing uncertainties over the conduct of British soldiers in Helmand Province between 2010 and 2013.
During the extensive session, counsel Oliver Glasgow KC pressed Wallace about his actions as Defence Secretary amidst ongoing concerns regarding the SAS’s engagement in military operations in Afghanistan. A document dated August 26, 2020, which Wallace had received, was central to these discussions. Glasgow highlighted that this correspondence, purportedly from Lovegrove, acknowledged the political difficulties that surrounded the inquiry.
Lovegrove’s communication stated a strong recommendation against initiating a public inquiry, as it might lead to testimonies where witnesses would fail to recall key events—a scenario he believed could significantly harm the morale and reputation of the armed forces.
Despite initial hesitations from officials, Wallace asserted that he was increasingly convinced that a public inquiry was necessary, indicating a shifting perspective as new information surfaced. He pointed towards emerging details that suggested a legitimate case for the SAS to address their actions.
The controversy surrounding the conduct of British troops has been persistent since early in the last decade. An earlier investigation, known as Operation Northmoor, which was conducted by military police and prosecutors, ultimately resulted in no charges and was closed in 2019. Nonetheless, allegations continued to emerge, fueled by media reports and civil claims.
In a surprising turn, the Ministry of Defence released documents in the spring of 2020 connected to claims from Afghan families, which introduced new evidence into the inquiry. Notably, an email from an SAS sergeant-major referenced the deaths of four individuals during a raid, ironically labeling the incident as “the latest massacre.” Another document acknowledged that a confidential review had taken place relating to situations where SAS members had killed individuals perceived to be armed.
Additional revelations showed that shortly after Wallace took office, he received requests to expedite the closure of Operation Northmoor, presumably to mitigate potential fallout from an upcoming investigative broadcast by Panorama. A memo highlighted concerns that this program might critically address how historical allegations had been handled by the MoD.
In a separate but related matter, Jonny Mercer, a junior minister responsible for veteran affairs, expressed to Wallace his apprehension about possibly having misled Parliament concerning the SAS’s alleged operations of “death squads” during the conflict. Mercer indicated a desire to rectify the record following his comments from an earlier debate.
Wallace acknowledged to the inquiry that correcting statements was complex, particularly in light of the serious nature of the allegations. He emphasized that the primary goal of the public inquiry was to determine whether sufficient evidence existed to corroborate these claims, and he urged individuals with firsthand knowledge of the events in Afghanistan to come forward.
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