- Mercer’s order review by inquiry chair challenges minister’s stance
- Deadline extended for Mercer’s disclosure of Afghan whistleblowers’ identities
- Refusal may lead to prison for veterans affairs minister
The order in question is under review by the chair of the inquiry, who previously deemed the minister’s position of “refusing to answer legitimate questions” as “completely unacceptable” and thus filed a challenge against it.
Johnny Mercer is exempt from the requirement to submit the identities of individuals who provided him with information regarding purported murders carried out by British special forces in Afghanistan by this coming Friday.
The minister of veterans affairs, Mr Mercer, could potentially be sentenced to prison for his refusal to cooperate with the Independent Inquiry concerning Afghanistan by withholding the information.
Last month, Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, the chair of the inquiry, repeatedly urged the former soldier to identify the individuals who informed him of the alleged killings at the hands of British troops.
Mr. Mercer, however, declined because he needed more authorization from his sources.
Statutory inquiries possess the legal authority to compel individuals to provide evidence; noncompliance may result in incarceration, albeit a remote likelihood.
Sir Charles issued an order under the Inquiries Act requiring Mr Mercer to provide a witness statement containing the names by 4 p.m. on 5 April; failure to do so could result in a potential jail sentence.
However, the Plymouth Conservative MP filed a social media challenge to the order that he declared on Tuesday.
At this time, the inquiry’s chairman is evaluating the appeal; a decision is anticipated to be rendered within a minimum of one week.
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Mr Mercer explained his decision not to reveal the names to Oliver Glasgow KC’s counsel last month: “Your integrity is the only thing that matters, and I will maintain that in my dealings with these individuals.”
According to him, “multiple officers” have informed him of homicide allegations and a cover-up in Afghanistan.
Sir Charles stated that Mr Mercer’s “refusal to answer legitimate questions… at a public inquiry” was “disappointing, unexpected, and completely unacceptable” during his testimony before the inquiry.
Initiated in 2022, the Afghanistan inquiry aims to examine accusations of misconduct levelled against the British Armed Forces during premeditated detention operations in the nation from 2010 to 2013.
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