Sir Ben Wallace knew that allegations about the killings of Afghan civilians by SAS forces were “broadly accurate” four years before ordering a public inquiry, a hearing was told. The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan is investigating claims that up to 80 civilians were killed in suspicious circumstances by members of the special forces

The former defence secretary Ben Wallace was advised by his permanent secretary that a public inquiry into allegations of SAS executions in Afghanistan would be “expensive, unproductive and extremely bad” for the reputation of the British military.

A former Defence Secretary has strenuously denied claims by a political rival that he was told about SAS war crimes in Afghanistan.Giving evidence at the High Court, Ben Wallace fired back at Johnny Mercer who previously suggested he had shown a 'lack of curiosity' about the allegations.