Johnny Mercer Faces Legal Pressure to Disclose Whistleblowers in Afghan Inquiry

Veterans' minister given 10 days to reveal sources of British troops' alleged war crimes, risking jail or fine for non-compliance.

Veterans' Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer has been ordered to provide names of Special Forces whistleblowers alleging war crimes in Afghanistan or face potential imprisonment or a fine.
A senior judge has issued a notice compelling Mercer to reveal his sources by April 5, citing the information's significant relevance to the investigation.
Mercer has refused to identify the soldiers, citing their vulnerability, and has received support from former Army head General Lord Dannatt, who called the inquiry's pressure 'outrageous'.
The Afghanistan public inquiry, investigating claims of SAS atrocities, insists on having robust procedures to protect witnesses' identities.
If Mercer fails to comply, he could be prosecuted in a magistrates’ court or found in contempt in the High Court, with varying consequences including imprisonment.