The chairman of the Independent Inquiry into alleged murders by UK special forces in Afghanistan warned UK veterans minister Johnny Mercer of "potential legal consequences" for not sharing the names of those who told him of the alleged crimes.

On Tuesday, which was the first day of the open hearing of the UK veterans minister, he repeatedly refused to disclose to the investigation the names of his sources.

The chairman, Charles Haddon-Cave, on Thursday (February 22) said that he was surprised and disappointed in Mercer’s position in this regard.

“… You refused to answer legitimate questions by leading council at a public inquiry in particular what the names of the people are who spoke to you about these matters. And I am bound to say this is frankly very disappointing and surprising particularly for someone in your position… it gives rise to potentially serious legal consequences which may need to be put in train.” Said Haddon-Cave.

The chairman of the investigation also asked Mercer to decide whether he is assisting the inquiry or obstructing the inquiry and access to the truth.

“You need to decide which side are you really on Mr Mercer. Is it assisting the inquiry fully… and the public interest and the national interest and getting to the truth of these allegations quickly for everyone’s sake or being part of what is in effect… a wall of silence and this wall of silence is obstructing the inquiry and access to the truth,” added the chairman.

Responding to the chairman’s question about his position, Johnny Mercer in a statement made public on X said that he is committed to assisting the inquiry and equally has a duty to care for his witnesses.

“As I stated during my testimony, I have a duty of care to those who have provided me information in confidence. I am equally committed to assisting this inquiry in every way I can and will continue to explore every avenue by which I can do this,” reads the statement of Johnny Mercer.

During the hearing, Mercer said that sources including serving officers had told him that UK forces killed innocent Afghans during their service in Afghanistan.

He has also said that British soldiers would carry "drop weapons" [not registered with NATO] to lay beside the unarmed Afghans they killed in Afghanistan.

In December 2022 the Ministry of Defense announced the UK Government’s decision to formally establish an independent Inquiry to investigate matters arising from the deployment of British Special Forces to Afghanistan between mid-2010 and mid-2013