Written question asked by Simon Hoare (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 December 2025. It was answered by Louise Sandher-Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Al-Sweady Inquiry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the official closing date under section 14 of the Inquiries Act 2005 was for the public inquiry entitled Al-Sweady Inquiry.

Original answer: The final report of the Al-Sweady Inquiry was published on 17 December 2014. The last members of the Inquiry staff were released in January 2015 and final administrative wind-up procedures completed in March 2015. Officials are carrying out searches of files and archives to determine whether a Section 14 letter was received and I will write to the hon. Member once those searches are complete.

The answer was corrected by Louise Sandher-Jones (Labour)

on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Corrected answer: The final report of the Al-Sweady Inquiry was published on 17 December 2014. The last members of the Inquiry staff were released in January 2015 and final administrative wind-up procedures completed in March 2015. ~~Officials are carrying out searches of files and archives to determine whether a Section 14 letter was received and I will write to the hon. Member once those searches are complete.~~The chair of the Inquiry, Sir Thayne Forbes, wrote to the then Secretary of State confirming the fulfilment of his terms of reference (a so-called Section 14 letter), on 20 March 2015.

Secondary information