The Mail on Sunday

Leak probe Minister urged to quit

- By Glen Owen and Mark Nicol

VETERANS Minister Johnny Mercer was facing calls to resign last night over claims he breached the ministeria­l code over a suspected informatio­n leak.

The former Army Captain, 39, is accused of tipping off a newspaper in a bid to ‘bounce’ Defence Secretary Ben Wallace into backing a plan to stop soldiers being hounded over misconduct claims.

According to sources, Mr Mercer leaked the informatio­n to shore up support for his Overseas Operations Bill, which would force Mr Wallace to push ahead with the legislatio­n.

While popular among veterans, critics of the Bill – including backbench Conservati­ve MPs – have suggested i t could l ead to torture allegation­s being covered up.

Mr Mercer was investigat­ed by the Cabinet Office after an article appeared in a newspaper in October suggesting a High Court judge would be appointed to oversee the investigat­ion of troops suspected of war crimes.

The former Royal Artillery officer was questioned and apparently admitted giving this informatio­n to a journalist.

The ministeria­l code – a set of rules and behavioura­l standards for MPs in Government roles – dictates that Ministers should obtain permission from Downing Street before disclosing sensitive policy matters.

Ministers are also expected to resign if found to have breached the code–and in 2017 Cabinet Ministers Dam ian Green and Sir Michael Fallon both quit over misconduct allegation­s.

However, Priti Patel was permitted to continue as Home Secretary last month despite an official report finding she bullied civil servants.

Mr Mercer completed three gruelling tours of Afghanista­n before becoming an MP in 2015.

His parliament­ary career has focused on improving welfare provisions for troops and last year he was appointed Minister for Defence People and Veterans. He declined to comment last night.

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said: ‘There can be no place in government for Johnny Mercer if he’s shown to have breached the ministeria­l code and leaked to try to bounce his boss.

‘No serving soldier would get away with this. The best way to fix the Overseas Operations Bill is to work together to ensure it protects British troops and Britain’s reputation for upholding internatio­nal law.’

A Downing Street spokesman said last night: ‘We do not comment on leak enquiries.’

 ??  ?? INVESTIGAT­ION: Former Army Captain Johnny Mercer
INVESTIGAT­ION: Former Army Captain Johnny Mercer

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