LONDON, 29 August 2024 (TDI): The UK government has blocked the appointment of General Gwyn Jenkins, a former military leader accused of covering up SAS war crimes in Afghanistan, from becoming the country’s national security adviser.
Jenkins, who was appointed by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in April, saw his appointment reversed by Sunak’s successor, Labour leader Keir Starmer, following his party’s decisive victory in the July general election.
Jenkins, who previously served as deputy head of the armed forces, faced criticism for his alleged knowledge of extrajudicial killings by the SAS during the Afghanistan war. A public inquiry suggested these killings formed a “pattern of extrajudicial killings.”
Kursk?
Keir Starmer cancels appointment of top general as national security adviser.
<General Gwyn Jenkins> #Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/RVP9UVw0HT
— FBEL (@FBEnemyLines) August 26, 2024
Richard Hermer KC, the current chief legal adviser to the government, represented the Afghan victims’ families in the inquiry.
Jenkins was anonymously referred to as “N1785” in the proceedings, where Hermer accused him of failing to report the killings to military police and concealing evidence of war crimes.
During a news conference, Starmer highlighted his commitment to an “open and transparent process” for appointing a new national security adviser but refrained from commenting on individual appointments. Although Jenkins’ appointment has been canceled, he remains eligible to reapply for the role in the future.
