Correspondence between Mr Mercer and the Secretary of State for Defence
Dear Ministry of Defence,
On the 17 June, 2021, the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Defence People and Veterans), Mr Johnny Mercer appeared on a Youtube video on Conservative Home.
In response to a question at minute 40 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7JdCgI4...) where Mr Mercer was asked if he was of the view that we know everything about what was 'done wrong' by British Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr Mercer replied:
"I have to be really careful here. No, we don't know what happened. And I formally wrote to the Secretary of State on my position on this subject. He knows that and he makes his own decisions."
Can I please ask for a search for any correspondence between the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Defence People and Veterans) and the Secretary of State for Defence in relation to potential wrongdoings by British troops in either Iraq and Afghanistan and be supplied with both Mr Mercer's letter and the Secretary of State's reply?
Yours faithfully,
Iain Overton
Dear Iain Overton,
Your request has been logged under our reference FOI2021/13886 and the
target date for response is 12th November 2021.
Yours sincerely
Top Office Group Business Management Support
Dear Iain Overton,
My apologies for the error in my previous email.
The target date for response is 12th December 2021.
Yours sincerely
Top Office Group Business Management Support
Dear TOG BM support,
Hello. You said that "The target date for response is 12th December 2021."
Can I gently remind.
Yours sincerely,
Iain Overton
Good evening Iain Overton,
I have recently taken over this request due to staff departure. I apologise for the delay, however we are currently liaising with relevant teams in the department to ascertain information in scope.
Once I have more information, I will update you.
Please accept my apology for the delay once again.
Kind regards,
Top Office Group FOI and PQ team
Dear TOG-FOI and PQ (MULTIUSER),
Hello - can I chase this request, please?
Yours sincerely,
Iain Overton
Good evening,
I sincerely apologise for delay in responding. I am still in discussions with the relevant teams to ascertain the information we have in scope.
Kind regards,
Top Office Group FOI and PQ team
Dear TOG-FOI and PQ (MULTIUSER),
Hello. I asked this in November last year. Given that a former Minister claimed he had written a letter about UK armed forces behaviour in battle to another minister, expressing concerns, and given that he spoke about this to Conservative Home, I am confused as to why that letter could not be identified and released.
Can you please give me an update to this request?
Thank you,
Yours sincerely,
Iain Overton
Dear TOG-FOI and PQ (MULTIUSER),
Please can I ask for an update to this request? Re - 'Correspondence between Mr Mercer and the Secretary of State for Defence'
Yours sincerely,
Iain Overton
Good afternoon,
I apologise for the delay. I am currently awaiting confirmation of what information we have in scope of your request.
Kind regards,
Top Office Group FOI and PQ team
Dear Iain Overton,
With sincere apologies for the delay, please find attached our response to
your enquiry.
Regards,
Top Office Group FOI & PQ Team
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