Sir Ben Wallace knew that allegations about the killings of Afghan civilians by SAS forces were “broadly accurate” four years before ordering a public inquiry, a hearing was told.

Former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace has rejected claims by ex-veterans’ minister Johnny Mercer that he “lacked curiosity” when responding to allegations of a cover-up of special forces murders in Afghanistan.

The former defence secretary answers question at the inquiry investigating claims made in a BBC Panorama programme that Afghan civilians were executed by three SAS squadrons between 2010 and 2013 - before Sir Ben took responsibility for the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The change had the effect of pushing war crimes allegations against the SAS outside the cut off period for bringing a prosecution under normal circumstances.

Sir Ben Wallace knew that allegations about the killings of Afghan civilians by SAS forces were “broadly accurate” four years before ordering a public inquiry, a hearing was told. The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan is investigating claims that up to 80 civilians were killed in suspicious circumstances by members of the special forces

Giving evidence at the High Court, Ben Wallace fired back at Johnny Mercer who previously suggested he had shown a 'lack of curiosity' about the allegations.