In a surprising turn of events, a UK Special Forces officer revealed that he personally rejected 1,585 resettlement applications from Afghans with credible links to special forces, according to newly released documents. These files, made public by the Ministry of Defence, detailed how the unnamed UKSF officer dismissed every application referred to him during a “sprint” in the summer of 2023. The Ministry of Defence hinted that the officer’s actions may have been related to the ongoing inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the SAS.
The rejected applications had links to Afghan commandos, known as the Triples, who had supported the SAS and SBS in Afghanistan for several years. This rejection occurred at a critical time when the UK was scrutinizing allegations of war crimes involving British special forces in Afghanistan, especially where the Triples were present. The rejection of these resettlement applications sparked concerns within the MoD, with Natalie Moore, the head of the UK’s Afghan resettlement team, questioning the UKSF’s practice of seemingly automatically rejecting Triples applications, hinting at a potential undisclosed mass rejection policy.
As more details emerged, it became apparent that the rejected Triples applicants faced severe dangers from the Taliban, with some former members being tortured and killed after their resettlement applications were denied. The disclosure of these controversial decisions led to a review of over 2,000 rejected applications by the MoD, highlighting flaws in the verification process that resulted in over 600 rejections being overturned. Questions were raised about the involvement of Gen Jenkins, the former head of the UKSF, in overseeing these rejections, although the MoD denied his direct association with the decisions. A legal battle ensued, where the MoD was accused of breaching its duty of candor and providing misleading responses, shedding light on the need for transparency and fairness in processing such critical applications.
Amidst the unfolding controversy, former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer expressed shock and dismay at the revelations, emphasizing the need for accountability and integrity in handling such sensitive matters. The case highlighted the challenges faced by Afghans with credible links to special forces in seeking resettlement and justice, underscoring the importance of upholding fundamental principles of fairness and transparency in decision-making processes
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