The inquiry into allegations of war crimes involving British Special Forces has revealed significant lapses in reporting and accountability. Bruce Houlder KC, a former director of service prosecutions, emphasized the legal obligation of commanding officers to report suspected crimes, including murders committed by military personnel.
Legal Obligations and Reporting Failures
Houlder highlighted that any knowledge of such crimes requires immediate action to report by commanding officers. He expressed regret over a particular incident from 2011 where he failed to ensure that the service police investigated potential war crimes related to the Special Air Service (SAS).
- Concern raised about the handling of war crime evidence.
- Initial complaints made in 2011, yet not reported until January 2015.
- Delayed reports occurred during Operation Northmoor, an SAS investigation.
Impact of Delayed Reporting
Houlder reflected on the consequences of the delayed reporting, citing tragic outcomes from operations conducted post-2011. He referred to a specific SAS raid in Nimruz province in August 2012, where two parents were killed, and their infant sons were severely wounded while they slept.
This operation, which occurred under new command within the SAS, was reportedly not reported to military police at the time. Houlder voiced regret that his inaction potentially contributed to further unnecessary loss of life.
Responses from SAS Leadership
The current director of special forces, who assumed command in 2012, stated the allegations presented by Houlder were categorically denied. He mentioned that during his tenure, no senior commanders raised concerns about unlawful killings or provided any evidence warranting referral to military police.
The former director of special forces from 2011 did not respond to inquiries regarding these serious allegations. This lack of communication raises additional questions about accountability within the ranks of the SAS.
Key Points of the Inquiry
- The law requires commanders to report crimes, including murder.
- Significant delay in reporting war crime evidence to military authorities.
- Allegations of unlawful killings remain unresolved and contested.
The ongoing inquiry aims to clarify the events surrounding these incidents and hold accountable those who may have suppressed important information related to war crimes committed by British Special Forces.
