Afghanistan veterans can get counselling if asked to appear at MoD inquiry, minister says

Afghanistan veterans have been urged to seek counselling if they are hauled in front of an inquiry over allegations of unlawful killings.

It comes as the Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday an independent statutory inquiry has been established to investigate and report on allegations of wrongdoing by the British Armed Forces in relation to their conduct of deliberate detention operations in Afghanistan.

The inquiry, which will be chaired by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, will investigate alleged activity during the period mid-2010 to mid-2013.

In a letter to veterans and families, Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, said “full legal and pastoral support will be provided”.

He added: “I am aware of the impact of this news. I have worked hard over many years to ensure that the Government learns from the past when it comes to dealing with our veterans during these types of investigations and there is now a formal network of support available to all those affected by this inquiry.”

In a tweet, Mr Mercer said: “I remain intensely proud of our service in Afghanistan.”

Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, Andrew Murrison, defence minister, said: “As I speak, we’re contacting those who may be affected by the statement made today to give them details of the support that is available to them.

Pastoral and legal support

“And anybody who is asked to be a witness in this inquiry will be contacted by the MoD to explain what’s available. To be clear, people who are requested to appear before Lord Justice Haddon-Cave will be provided with legal support and pastoral support that they need to get them through this.”

He added that the inquiry, which will start early next year, would cause “a lot of dismay and anxiety among those individuals who have served this country with great distinction”.

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, said that while there have been “several comprehensive investigations into the events in question, if there are further lessons to learn it is right that we consider those fully”.

He said that this would ensure “all allegations are handled appropriately and in equal measure to ensure our personnel are adequately protected from unnecessary reinvestigations”.

Afghan journalists' legal bid

It comes as eight Afghan journalists who worked for British media companies in Afghanistan are embroiled in a High Court fight with ministers after failing in bids to relocate to the UK.

They have taken legal action against Mr Wallace and Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, after being told they were not eligible for relocation.

Lawyers representing the journalists told Mr Justice Lane on Thursday that they had worked in “high-profile roles for the BBC and other media agencies” and are at risk of “being killed by the Taliban”.

However, Erin Alcock, a lawyer at Leigh Day, said outside court before the hearing: “Our clients feel that by refusing to relocate them and their families to safety in the UK, HM Government has turned its back on them.”

She said that the Government is defending the case and arguing that, because the BBC is independent of the Government, the journalists are “not eligible” under the relocation scheme.