PA Press No new investigation will be launched into allegations about the behaviour of the SAS unit in Afghanistan, the chief of the defence staff has told the BBC.
According to BBC Panorama , its troops may have unlawfully killed 54 people during a single six-month tour within 2010/2011.
Adm Friend Tony Radakin stated two independent police investigations had discovered “that did not happen”.
His predecessor had said he would have launched a probe into the claims based on the BBC’s findings.
The Ministry associated with Defence said it might not comment on particular allegations, but that will declining to remark should not be taken as approval of the allegations’ factual accuracy.
Asked whether an SAS squadron had repeatedly killed unarmed men and detainees in Helmand, Sir Tony told the particular BBC’s Sunday Early morning programme: “We have got conducted two impartial service police investigations and both of those have come to the bottom line that did not happen and that there is not sufficient evidence in order to merit a felony prosecution.
“If the BBC has found fresh evidence, we’ve been clear in saying ‘can we note that evidence? ‘ and we will look at that once again. ”
The BBC said it would engage with the military police and considers every requests for un-broadcast material in accordance with its editorial guidelines.
British specific forces killed countless people on evening raids in Afghanistan, but were some of the shootings executions? BBC Panorama’s Richard Bilton uncovers new evidence and tracks down eyewitnesses.
The main military investigation into SAS killings, Operation Northmoor, continues to be criticised for being seriously flawed.
Royal Army Police investigators mentioned it was simply not correct the killings had been thoroughly investigated.
They told the BBC they had already been obstructed in their efforts to gather evidence, obstructed from visiting the websites of the shootings, plus frustrated in tries to interview older Special Forces officers.
Asked about the senior police investigators’ states, Sir Tony mentioned: “We’ve had two thorough independent provider police investigations. Wish wary of trial simply by television.
“These are exceptional people who serve their country, they absolutely fall under the rule of law. We utilize due process and they also deserve due process themselves. ”
Style Sir David Richards, former chief from the defence staff, was in charge of the entire British armed forces throughout the period Panorama looked into.
He told the particular BBC earlier recently: “Given the persuasive nature of the programme, if I was nevertheless chief of the defence staff I would purchase a thorough investigation from the events portrayed.
“I have no question that Admiral Radakin, the current chief from the defence staff, is going to do this. ”
On Tuesday, Armed Forces Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) James Heappey told the Commons Defence Select Committee that if there was new proof of offences “we can absolutely investigate it”.
Separately, a cross-party group of MPs and peers have agreed upon a joint statement calling for a powerful and independent query to be launched by government, saying it ought to be “appropriately resourced, provides access to all related evidence and whose findings can be made public”.
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