Ex-MP still defiant in refusing to name names

SAYS INQUIRY CHAIRMAN HAS CROSSED LINE’

- CARL EVE

FORMER Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer has responded to a warning to comply with an order to present evidence to the Afghan war crime inquiry with a defiant and critical statement, issued via social media.

The order, made by the chairman of the Afghanistan Inquiry, Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, related to the names of individuals who Mr Mercer claimed had told him of alleged special forces murders. Mr Mercer repeatedly refused to hand over names of “multiple officers” who he said had told him about allegations of murder and a cover-up during his time as a backbench MP, while he gave evidence in February.

Mr Mercer was served with a Section 21 notice on March 13, compelling him to hand over the names, which Sir Charles insisted would be “treated in confidence”. However, he added that failing to comply without reasonable excuse would be “a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment and/or a fine.” Mr Mercer submitted an application, arguing he was either unable to comply with the order, or that it was not reasonable for him to comply with it.