Johnny Mercer says he is challenging an order to turn over the names of people who tipped him off about alleged murders by Afghan special forces.

Sir Charles Hadden-Cave, chairman of the Afghanistan inquiry, has given the veterans minister until April 5 to hand over the list or face up to two years in prison.

During Mr Mercer’s evidence to the inquiry last month, the chairman said his decision “to refuse to answer legitimate questions at a public inquiry” was “disappointing… surprising… and completely unacceptable”.

Mr Mercer has previously refused to name “a number of police officers” who told him about the murders and cover-up allegations that took place while he was a backbencher.

The Plymouth MP posted on

“I am challenging the order by filing an application under Section 21(4) of the Investigations Act 2005, seeking to quash the Section 21 notice.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further.”

The one thing you can stand up for is your integrity and I will do that with these guys

Veterans Secretary Johnny Mercer

Giving reasons for anonymity, he told Oliver Glasgow, a lawyer for the Kansas commission of inquiry last month: “The one thing you can stand up for is your integrity, and I will do that with these people.”

The inquest said Mr Mercer was served with a section 21 notice on March 13, forcing him to hand over the names, which it said would be kept “confidential”.

In his order, the chairman said the consequences of failure to comply without reasonable excuse would be a “criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine”.

Before issuing the order, Sir Charles told the minister: “You need to decide whose side you are really on, Mr Mercer.

He accused the minister, who declined to be named, who served with the Special Boat Service (SBS) task force in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009, of having a “misguided sense of integrity and an inappropriate sense of loyalty”.

The inquiry is looking into whether a special forces unit known as UKSF1 had a policy of executing “combat-age” men who posed no threat in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

Afghan families have accused British special forces of carrying out a “murderous campaign” against civilians, while senior Ministry of Defense officials and personnel have been accused of trying to “prevent an adequate investigation”.

Two Royal Military Police investigations, codenamed Operation Northmoor and Operation Sestero, will be scrutinized by the inquiry.

Operation Northmoor was a £10m investigation launched in 2014 to examine allegations of special forces executions, including those of children, but no charges were brought.

During Operation Sestro, three soldiers were handed over to the service prosecutor’s office, but none were prosecuted.

The investigation continues.