According to an independent report commissioned by the Afghanistan Inquiry, there were 'serious failings' in a Royal Military Police (RMP) inquiry into allegations arising from operations in Afghanistan.

The report by the former Chief Constable of Kent Police, Alan Pughsley QPM examined two RMP investigations: Operation NORTHMOOR and Operation CESTRO. Both concerned allegations that UK Special Forces (UKSF) had unlawfully killed Afghan men during deliberate detention operations between 2010 and 2013.

Mr Pughsley concluded that Operation Northmoor was 'poorly led, inadequately resourced, and failed to meet the standards expected of a major investigation'.

The blame for identified failings was by no means confined to RMP. Operation NORTHMOOR did not begin until March 2014, when the Royal Military Police opened an inquiry into allegations raised by Afghan complainants and civil litigation brought by the law firm Leigh Day

The investigation was classified as a “critical incident” and treated as a Category A+ case, meaning it was considered extraordinarily serious and complex. But Mr Pughsley's report says that the delay of 37 months between the alleged events and the launch of the investigation severely damaged its prospects.

Afganistan Inquiry Press Release 12.3.36: Independent Report finds serious failings in Royal Military Police investigation
into Afghanistan allegations