CAMPAIGNERS demanded today that the government come clean about British forces’ atrocities in Afghanistan after Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer spoke of “horrific accounts” of the killing of children and other civilians.

Mr Mercer advised the public inquiry looking at the issue that Afghan special forces had told him of murderous abuses by members of the Special Air Service (SAS) during the British occupation of the country.

In response to a question, Mr Mercer made it clear that he was talking about “allegations of straight murder.”