Ex-Police Chief Critiques UK Military’s Investigation into Alleged War Crimes in Afghanistan

A former senior police officer has condemned the investigation carried out by the Royal Military Police (RMP) into alleged war crimes by UK Special Forces in Afghanistan, describing the process as slow, poorly staffed, and inadequately managed. Alan Pughsley, with nearly four decades of experience in investigating serious crimes, provided insights during an Independent Inquiry regarding Operation Northmoor, launched in March 2014 to examine claims made in a BBC Panorama report that innocent Afghan civilians were executed by SAS squadrons between 2010 and 2013.

During his review, Pughsley labeled Operation Northmoor a "Category A investigation" yet criticized its progress and the level of resources allocated to it. He reported that initial delays in starting the investigation obstructed timely witness interviews, and important evidence was overlooked. Allegedly, about 80 Afghan civilians could have been victims of unlawful killings.

Pughsley stressed concerns over the inexperience of investigating officers and the lack of proper handovers during personnel changes, which contributed to the investigation's shortcomings. He indicated that insufficient records were kept, and that critical advice from independent advisors was often disregarded.

The inquiry further revealed that four years were needed to establish appropriate resources for the investigation, which was considered poorly resourced from the outset. Pughsley also remarked that the closure of Operation Northmoor was "inappropriate and premature," suggesting there were still significant lines of inquiry to pursue.

The inquiry, which continues to gather evidence, has called into question the effectiveness of the military's handling of serious allegations against its forces, given the absence of charges brought against any personnel during the investigation.