SAS commander was criminally investigated after five troops were accused of murder over an raid in Syria

All eight men have since left the military, despite prosecutors deciding in May not to bring charges. General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, acting as Director Special Forces, overruled the commanding officer, who had approved the team's account of the 2022 shooting. Three SAS officers were interviewed under caution and accused of a cover-up. Investigators claimed the five soldiers used 'disproportionate force'.

Staff at SAS headquarters in Hereford rallied furiously around the accused men.

Ex-Warrant Officer Matt Hellyer demands legal protections for troops sent to hunt Isis.

Wes Streeting wrote on October 13 that his trust in special forces remained 'firm'.