Mercer avoids threat of jail after Afghanistan inquiry judge backs down
Johnny Mercer no longer faces the threat of jail for defying a court order after a public inquiry chairman appeared to back down.
Mr Mercer, the former Cabinet minister, had been facing trial for contempt of court for defying an order to hand over the names of whistleblowers who had made allegations of extrajudicial killings carried out by UK special forces in Afghanistan.
But on Thursday afternoon, Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, the chairman of the Afghan Inquiry, said he had received “further information” from Mr Mercer that meant he would take no further action against the former minister.
Mr Mercer, however, insisted his position “remains unchanged” since the start of the year, when he refused to reveal the identities of his sources.
A spokesman for the Afghan Inquiry said: “Mr Mercer has provided further information in response to the Section 21 notice and agreed to assist the inquiry further. The inquiry team will be taking this forward.
“For the time being, the chair will not be taking further action in relation to the Section 21 notice or making further comment.”
Mr Mercer told The Telegraph: “I note the judge’s comments. My position remains unchanged from the beginning of the year. I will always do all I can to assist this important inquiry. I will not betray those I served with who have confided in me, whatever the cost.”
