World
UK Special Air Service Troops Accused of War Crimes Not Referred to Police Over Morale Concerns, Inquiry Hears
📅 May 28, 2026 23:40 ET
⏱ 2 min
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GazetaDay Editorial
This meant military police did not learn for years of allegations of extra-judicial killings.
Background of the Inquiry
The inquiry heard that concerns over operational morale prevented the referral of Special Air Service (SAS) troops accused of war crimes to civilian police authorities. Allegations of unlawful killings, including extra-judicial executions, were reportedly withheld from the military police for an extended period. The case raises questions about the military justice system and its handling of serious misconduct within elite units.
Delays in Reporting Allegations
According to testimony presented to the inquiry, the decision not to refer the allegations was driven by fears that a police investigation could undermine troop morale during active operations. As a result, military police remained unaware of the specific claims for years. The delay has drawn scrutiny from legal experts and human rights organizations, who argue that such decisions compromise defence accountability.
Impact on Defence Accountability
The failure to promptly report the allegations has been criticized as a systemic failure within the Ministry of Defence. Witnesses at the inquiry noted that the culture of protecting operational effectiveness may have allowed potential war crimes to go uninvestigated. The case highlights ongoing tensions between maintaining special forces morale and ensuring legal oversight.
Similar Cases in Context
The inquiry’s findings echo previous controversies involving British special forces. In 2019, allegations of unlawful killings by SAS troops in Afghanistan led to a separate investigation by the Royal Military Police, though no charges were ultimately filed. Another case in 2014 involved claims of extra-judicial executions during operations in Iraq, which were also not referred to civilian authorities for years. These patterns have prompted calls for reform of the military justice system to ensure timely and independent investigations.
Special Air Servicewar crimesmilitary policemoraleextra-judicial killingsinquiryUnited Kingdom