SAS heroes 'thinking twice' about going on kill missions for fear of being prosecuted

SAS soldiers are hesitant to go on kill missions for fear of being prosecuted, senior officers have said.

Special Air Service heroes said the ongoing Afghanistan inquiry had left the elite unit feeling "permanently and constantly scrutinised", and worried about going on missions which may require lethal force.

The intervention from current SAS servicemen comes after reports that the inquiry published images of unarmed people lying dead in bed.

The BBC, which published the article on Armistice Day, said the photos were "essential evidence" that the special unit had killed targets who were asleep.

The inquiry itself started after a BBC Panorama investigation in 2022.

Current SAS soldiers, on condition of anonymity, told The Telegraph they were now "less inclined" to volunteer for roles that involve dangerous operations for fear they may later be investigated.

When asked by the newspaper what types of missions that meant, the source said: "Jobs where you might end up shooting people."

They added: "Some of the people who have been directly affected by the inquiry are a bit more leery about things, though. Less inclined to volunteer for certain jobs, but no outright refusals."

The Afghanistan inquiry is investigating alleged extrajudicial killings between 2010 and 2013.

BBC Panorama has investigated the allegations for more than eight years.

Commenting on the inquiry and the reporting around it, the SAS source said: "We all feel permanently and constantly scrutinised, without reprieve. It is the worst part of my job."

But the source said there was still confidence soldiers would act "correctly" when deployed.

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In March, the Ministry of Defence said it was "fully committed to supporting" the inquiry, but it is said Wes Streeting is concerned about the situation the SAS faces.

The Defence Secretary, on Remembrance Sunday, admitted that special forces troops "live under a cloud" of uncertainty, worried if they "are going to be persecuted rather than thanked for their service".

He added: "Those are things I need to put right – there's going to be a process; it's not simple."

Sir Ben Wallace, the former Conservative Defence Secretary, is said to have been contacted by numerous serving special forces staff concerned the inquiry could hamper recruiting and morale.

SAS soldiers are also concerned that they may be treated like the Northern Ireland veterans, who could be exposed to hundreds of lawsuits and inquiries under Labour's Troubles Bill.

The elite soldier said: "The worry is that those of us being investigated today [over Afghanistan] will still be investigated in our 80s."

An MoD spokesman said: "Our personnel are respected worldwide for their professionalism and dedication, and they make extraordinary sacrifices in defence of the nation.

"Much of their work goes unseen and unsung, but that in no way diminishes the enormous pride we have in their service and the vital role they play in keeping our country safe."