Afghan inquiry into alleged SAS war crimes has already cost £58m, MoD figures show
The inquiry has been running for more than three and a half years but has yet to publish any findings.
The Independent Inquiry into British Special Air Service (SAS) war crimes in Afghanistan has reportedly cost UK taxpayers £58 million, according to figures released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This figure represents a significant increase from the original estimate of £14.68 million when the inquiry was launched in 2023. The inquiry, chaired by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, was established in response to allegations that SAS operatives murdered unarmed Afghan civilians during night raids between 2010 and 2013.
Despite its original projected timeline of 12-18 months, the inquiry has now been ongoing for over three and a half years, with no findings published. The MoD attributed the delays to the complexity of the investigation, while the inquiry itself stated that the MoD's delays in disclosing information had also impacted the timeline.
The inquiry has heard evidence from senior military personnel who believe the SAS committed extra-judicial killings and raised concerns about the secrecy surrounding SAS operations. Despite the high costs, the inquiry's chair has emphasized the importance of a timely conclusion for the welfare of UK Special Forces personnel and witnesses.
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