Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Gainsborough, has asked ministers to ensure that British soldiers don't face vexatious prosecution claims regarding their service in Afghanistan.

The MP pointed out that veterans are "acutely depressed" and "angry" about being sent to fight against a "merciless" enemy and yet their conduct being challenged by an official independent inquiry.

Sir Edward said the inquiry needed to have a "carefully calibrated" investigation with a very high bar for prosecutions, lest a severe blow be dealt against morale against current and former servicemen and servicewomen.