Allegations of unlawful killings by British soldiers in Afghanistan and a ‘cover-up’ are to be the subject of a top-level inquiry.

The independent statutory inquiry, commissioned by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, will begin in early 2023, defence minister Dr Andrew Murrison announced in the Commons on Thursday.

The families of eight people, including three young boys, who it is alleged were murdered by UK Special Forces in two separate incidents during night raids in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012, welcomed the announcement.

The probe will be chaired by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, who is stepping down from his role as senior presiding judge for England and Wales to focus on the task.

Dr Murrison said it would in part focus on claims that any wrongdoing, including murder, were “not properly investigated” by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Mr Wallace said in a statement: “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, to ensure all allegations are handled appropriately and in equal measure, to ensure our personnel are adequately protected from unnecessary reinvestigations.”

A member of the Noorzai family, who lost relatives in Afghanistan, said: “Over 10 years ago I lost two of my brothers, my young brother-in-law and a childhood friend, all boys with a life ahead of them.”

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‘Shot while drinking tea’

The relative added: “I was handcuffed, beaten and interrogated” outside the family home “by British soldiers”.

“My relatives and friend were each shot in the head as they sat drinking tea.

“My family has waited 10 years to find out why this happened.

“We are happy that finally after so many years someone is going to investigate this thoroughly.

“We live in hope that those responsible will one day be held to account.”

Tessa Gregory, partner at law firm Leigh Day which is representing the families, said the allegations of “extrajudicial killings and cover-up” were of such gravity, and the concerns were so widespread that an inquiry should have been launched “years ago”.

‘Proud of British service’

In a letter to veterans and their families, veterans’ affairs minister Johnny Mercer said he was “aware of the impact of this news” on those involved, and “full legal and pastoral support” for anyone called up by the inquiry would be available.

In a tweet, he said he remained “intensely proud of our service in Afghanistan”.

In the Commons, Conservative former minister Sir Edward Leigh warned the bar for prosecutions must be “very high” otherwise “we are going to inflict a severe blow on the morale of the veterans of our brave armed forces”.

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Labour’s shadow defence secretary John Healey said: “Allegations of unlawful killings and cover-ups could not be more serious and this inquiry is essential to protect the reputation of our British special forces, to guarantee the integrity of military investigations and to secure justice for any of those affected.

“The question is will it do the job? Is it set up to succeed and is the MoD military, civilian and political fully committed to making it succeed? Too often the MoD responds with denial and delay.”

The MoD said next steps for the inquiry will be detailed “in due course”.

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