The Ministry of Defence has apologised after 97 million documents were found late in the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan, a discovery Lord Justice Haddon-Cave called "troubling". The MoD says thousands of potentially relevant files and hundreds of images have been identified, while forensic teams will test whether photographic and ballistic evidence align. The inquiry, set up in 2022 after BBC reporting, has yet to publish findings and has cost about £58 million. Haddon-Cave has ordered further hearings and set a deadline to hear all evidence by 30 April 2027.
MoD Apologises After Late Discovery of 97 Million Files in SAS Inquiry — Haddon-Cave Calls Disclosure 'Troubling'
The SAS carried out night raids with Afghan special forces during the conflict [BBC]
The Ministry of Defence has apologised after the late discovery of 97 million documents more than three years into the independent inquiry examining alleged Special Air Service (SAS) wrongdoing in Afghanistan. The inquiry's chair, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, described the disclosure as "troubling" and convened an exceptional hearing to press the MoD for an explanation.
What Was Discovered
The MoD says the newly identified collection includes thousands of potentially relevant documents and hundreds of images that may relate to multiple special forces operations carried out between 2010 and 2013. Many of the files, however, are expected to fall outside the inquiry's terms of reference.
MoD Response and Legal Hearing
At a hearing, Steven Gray KC, representing the MoD, apologised and described the episode as a "regrettable failure". He told the inquiry the issue stemmed largely from communication failures rather than an absence of procedures, and said the department was investing significant resources to search multiple IT systems and classified stores.
“The department apologises that it fell short,” the MoD's counsel said, adding that steps were being taken to avoid similar late disclosures in future.
Families, Forensics and Inquiry Background
Lawyers for bereaved families called the late revelation "staggering" and said it represented another obstacle to getting answers about the deaths of loved ones. Forensic examiners are now analysing photographs and other material to see whether visual and ballistic evidence aligns with accounts of what happened during the operations, known as Deliberate Detention Operations (DDOs).
The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan (IIA) was established in 2022 after BBC reporting raised allegations that SAS personnel had carried out unlawful killings, including of children and handcuffed detainees. The IIA has not yet published any findings.
Timetable, Cost and Next Steps
Haddon-Cave has set a deadline to hear all evidence by 30 April 2027 and said he will hold further hearings to ensure the MoD identifies and discloses any material of real relevance without delay. BBC reporting indicates the inquiry has already cost around £58 million, with roughly half of that spent by the MoD and government responding to the inquiry, including legal fees for former officers and senior military figures.
The IIA told the BBC it has not yet received the newly identified material. The MoD says it remains committed to supporting the inquiry and regrets that disclosure processes were not as prompt or consistent as they should have been.
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