Veterans’ Minister Faces Deadline to Submit Witness Statement or Face Legal Consequences

Johnny Mercer, the Veterans’ Minister, has announced his intention to challenge a legal order demanding that he disclose the identities of individuals who provided him with information regarding alleged special forces murders in Afghanistan.

The Chairman of the Afghanistan Inquiry, Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, has set a deadline for Mr Mercer to submit a witness statement by April 5, which must include the names of those who made the allegations, or face potential legal action, including imprisonment.

In response to the inquiry’s demand, Mr Mercer, the MP for Plymouth, Moor View, took to social media, stating: “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.”

He further explained his reasoning for withholding the names, emphasising his commitment to the integrity of those who confided in him, stating, “The one thing you can hold on to is your integrity, and I will be doing that with these individuals.”

The inquiry had expressed disappointment over Mr Mercer’s refusal to comply with their request for the names during his testimony last month. Sir Charles Haddon-Cave described Mr Mercer’s refusal to answer what he considered to be legitimate questions as “disappointing,” “surprising,” and “completely unacceptable.”

The inquiry served Mr Mercer with a Section 21 notice on March 13, compelling him to provide the requested information. The inquiry has stated that the identities will be kept confidential. However, failure to comply with the order could result in legal penalties, including imprisonment or a fine.