Former SAS hero facing probe for war crimes denies murder of ‘horrifically wounded’ Iraqi soldiers

SAS sergeant Colin Maclachlan last night insisted allies did carry out mercy killings in the 2003 Iraq War but denied he was responsible.

Such killings are outlawed under the Geneva Convention and Colin faces a police probe triggered by comments in his new book.

4

But he said last night: “I certainly didn’t walk up and execute three people.

"I stand by what happened but I didn’t kill them. That’s taking it a bridge too far.”

His book SAS Who Dares Wins, Leadership Secrets From The Special Forces tells how three Iraqis who were left disembowelled or had lost limbs in an ambush were killed by a US-led Special Forces team he was part of.

4

The book says: “I didn’t enjoy killing those soldiers but I had to put them out of their misery.

"Our Iraqi allies told us they understood the dilemma; that our mercy killings were for the greater good.”

Colin says a ghost-written draft was submitted to a newspaper without him reading it.

4

related stories

WHO DRONES WINS

Boat that can drive itself at speeds of 50mph under development for SAS heroes by Brit boffins

'HE DIED AFRAID'

Battered war hero's family write emotional letter to his killer in jail after grandfather dies in 'agony'

'KIDNAPPED BY THE STATE'

War hero wins compo after her breasts were exposed in wrongful arrest by cops probing Iraq abuse

COUNCIL'S SNUB

War hero who guarded Royals during The Blitz refused award because bravery happened 'outside the borough'

4

He added: “If anywhere in that book says there were three wounded guys and I killed them, all that is absolute nonsense.”

All books are reviewed by the MoD to ensure state secrets are not leaked. The MoD insisted no official inquiry had been launched.