This phase relates to evidence regarding concerns and complaints expressed about the activities of UK Special Forces in Afghanistan during the time period of mid-2010 to mid-2013, and the subsequent years that followed.
The Inquiry held an OPEN hearing where the Chair heard evidence from the Rt Hon Ben Wallace .
The CLOSED phase of work focused on eight individuals who held key posts within UK Special Forces during the period of mid-2010 to mid-2013. The evidence they gave related to concerns that were raised about the tactics, techniques and procedures used by UK Special Forces to conduct deliberate detention operations in Afghanistan.
The Inquiry also heard evidence regarding allegations of extra-judicial killings which were raised by the Afghan Partner Unit and a Third-Party entity. These witnesses provided a written statement to the Inquiry following a Rule 9 request (under the Inquiry Rules 2006) and gave evidence in CLOSED hearings during the summer of 2024.
Everyone reading these evidence summaries and redacted materials should, however, pay careful regard to the terms of the Restriction Order that the Chair has made in respect of this set of hearings and this evidence.
It should be noted that:
- The Chair granted all of the witnesses who gave evidence in this set of hearings anonymity from the public (and including the Afghan Families and their representatives). They should be referred to by a cipher and should not be named.
- The Chair ordered the restriction of other material from publication or dissemination where it could lead to the identification of any witness or other member of UKSF, or would be damaging to National Security.
- The Order lasts indefinitely, unless and until revoked or varied by further Order.
The Restriction Order prevents the press and public from publishing the names of the ciphered witnesses, or any other identifying details that are not in the published evidence from the Inquiry. It is also important that there is no speculation about the identities of the individuals in question and for the Press and those on social media to report this evidence responsibly. As set out in the Restriction Order, the High Court and Court of Session have the power to imprison or fine for any breach of a Restriction Order.
Transcript
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Monday 23 September 2024 Transcript
YouTube Recording
Witness Statement, Rt Hon Sir Ben Wallace – 23 September 2024 – Morning recording
Witness Statement, Rt Hon Sir Ben Wallace – 23 September 2024 – Afternoon recording
OPEN Exhibits
Rt Hon Sir Ben Wallace Witness Statement
MOD-221-0004134 Afghan Legacy Investigations (Operation Northmoor): Update
MOD-221-0004135-A – SofS/MinDPV Bilat Email
MOD-221-004136-A Op Northmoor Emails
MOD-2210004155-A BBC Letter
MOD-221-000-4138-A Panorama and Northmoor Handling Submission
MOD-221-0004139-A Operation Northmoor: Meeting with Sir John Murphy
MOD-221-0004140-A BBC Production Letter from Ben Wallace
MOD-221-0004143-A Box Note for SofS regarding JR (Saifullah & Noorzai)
MOD-221-0004145-A Afghan related judicial review – email chain
MOD-221-0004152-A Op Northmoor Meeting 5 August 2020
MOD-221-0004137-A Ministerial Submission regarding Afghan JRs – Email chain
MOD-221-0004154-A – Note from MinDPV to SofS
MOD-221-0004156-A – Afghanistan allegations note from Perm Sec
MOD-221-0004144-A – Afghanistan allegations and legal issues: Draft advice from Permanent Secretary
CLOSED Evidence Summaries
N1466 Evidence Summary
N1803 – Evidence Summary
N2444 – Evidence Summary
N5461 – Evidence Summary
CLOSED Written Statements
N1466 – Witness Statement
N1803 – Witness Statement
N2444 – Witness Statement
N5461 – Witness Statement
N5461- Supplementary Witness Statement
CLOSED Exhibits
MOD-198-0000829-A
MOD-198-0002063-A
MOD-198-0002047-A
MOD-198-0000239-A
MOD-198-0000245-A
MOD-198-0002051-A
MOD-198-0002046-A
MOD-198-0002062-A
MOD-198-0000328-A
MOD-198-0002038-A
MOD-198-0001448-A
MOD-198-0002850-A
MOD-221-0007250-A
MOD-198-0003917-A
MOD-198-0003884-A
MOD-198-0003644-A
MOD-198-0003561-A
MOD-198-0003482-A
MOD-198-0003437-A
MOD-198-0003417-A
MOD-198-0000587-A
MOD-198-0000586-A
MOD-198-0003470-A
MOD-198-0002044-A
MOD-198-0001577-A
MOD-198-0000913-A
MOD-198-0000727-A
MOD-198-0000725-A
MOD-198-0000713-A
MOD-198-0003553-A
MOD-198-0002869-A
MOD-221-0005163-A
MOD-198-0000334-A
MOD-198-0004070-A
MOD-198-0003888-A
MOD-198-0002033-A
Restriction Order
Restriction Order -Concerns and Complaints Part 2
Restriction Order – 23 September 2024
Restriction Order 23 September 2024 – Ben Wallace AM
Restriction Order – Concerns and Complaints Part 2 CLOSED
Rulings
Final Decision of Restriction Orders regarding Concerns and Complaints Part 2