Accusations are made against Johnny Mercer, the minister for veterans, that he had a “misguided understanding of the term integrity” in a disagreement with Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, who advised him to reconsider his choice and threatened to use his “very significant powers” if necessary.
The investigation was started in 2022 to look into claims that the British Armed Forces committed misconduct during the country’s planned detention operations in 2010 and 2013.
While testifying before the committee last week, Johnny Mercer disclosed that, while serving as a backbench MP, “multiple officers” had informed him of claims of murder and the ensuing cover-up.
However, the now-minister told lawyers, “The one thing you can hold on to is your integrity and I will be doing that with these individuals,” refusing to reveal the names of those military men.
Mr. Mercer continued: “The simple reality at this stage is, I’m not prepared to burn them – not when, in my judgement, you are already speaking to people who have far greater knowledge of what was going on.”
Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, who chaired the inquiry, gave the minister’s viewpoint very little consideration.
