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  "path": "/news/military-news-special-forces-human-rights-lawyer",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-10T08:05:59.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme faces fresh setback as cabinet ministers revolt",
    "A QUARTER of settled non-EU migrants claim Universal Credit",
    "Labour accused of appeasing 'sectarian voting bloc' as 'anti-Muslim hostility' definition unveiled",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nMore than 120 serving members of Britain's Special Forces are under investigation by lawyers as part of £1 million a month in human rights probes.\n\nThe figures emerged through a memo circulated to the Special Air Service and Special Reconnaissance Regiment associations, exposing the scale of legal scrutiny facing elite soldiers.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOperations conducted in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Syria are under examination by solicitors, with those involved risking legal penalties should they refuse to cooperate.\n\nAmong the 242 Special Forces personnel subject to these probes, approximately 120 remain active military personnel, representing 55 per cent of those affected.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe investigations encompass a combination of accused individuals and witnesses connected to classified missions spanning multiple conflict zones.\n\nThe leaked document reveals a deeply troubling human toll, disclosing that two suicide interventions have occurred among those caught up in the legal proceedings.\n\nPersonnel have been signing off from duty in protest at what they perceive as persecution, according to the memo's contents.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA former SAS officer, currently subject to investigation, told The Daily Mail: \"The mood is vociferous, everyone has had enough. For these endless legal probes to be being pursued at this time just sums up what Britain's priorities are\".\n\nHe added that American Special Forces counterparts were \"dismayed\" by the treatment of British troops, saying: \"They can't believe we are being put through this - and everything takes so long. It is an endless gravy train for lawyers, only they benefit\".\n\nThe memo outlines the legal mechanisms compelling cooperation, with Rule 9 requests demanding witnesses provide relevant documents or written statements.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme faces fresh setback as cabinet ministers revolt\n  * A QUARTER of settled non-EU migrants claim Universal Credit\n  * Labour accused of appeasing 'sectarian voting bloc' as 'anti-Muslim hostility' definition unveiled\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShould individuals decline these requests, Section 21 orders are enacted, forcing them to give evidence and attend hearings – ignoring such orders constitutes a criminal offence.\n\nRegarding Afghanistan specifically, a public inquiry is examining allegations that SAS troops executed scores of surrendered and disarmed Afghans during night raids between 2010 and 2014.\n\nThe memo suggests this inquiry could progress to criminal investigations into alleged murders and other offences.\n\nVeterans maintain the evidence underpinning these accusations is \"extremely weak\" and should not reach the threshold required for prosecution.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAccording to those affected, the allegations originated internally, with one reportedly coming from a civilian worker based at the SAS headquarters in Hereford.\n\nVeterans have already amassed more than £1million to cover their legal expenses in response to the investigations.\n\nThe memo highlights an emerging dispute between the SAS Regimental Association and the Government concerning Labour's Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which replaces the Conservative Legacy Act but lacks equivalent legal protections for troops.\n\nThe document stated: \"The government is the key driver of this. Our colleagues are being hounded by our own Government.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Ministry of Defence responded by expressing pride in the Armed Forces' contribution to national security.\n\n\"We are fully committed to supporting the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan as its work continues,\" the MoD said.\n\nOn Northern Ireland, the department stated the Troubles Bill delivers \"six real, workable protections for veterans that the failed Legacy Act never did\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "More than 100 serving Special Forces troops 'persecuted by human rights lawyers' in legal 'witch hunt'"
}