The UK's particular forces are the main focus of an inquiry into allegations of illegal exercise in Afghanistan, the defence secretary has confirmed.

An unbiased inquiry, commissioned by Ben Wallace final December, is about to give attention to alleged criminality by British armed forces within the war-torn nation between 2010 and 2013.

The probe may even have a look at allegations that the Royal Military Police's (RMP) investigation of reported illegal killings by particular forces was insufficient.

In a brief assertion, Mr Wallace stated: "It is right that the Ministry of Defence continues to balance the requirement to be as open and transparent as possible against national security considerations.

"The inquiry is now reaching the stage of substantive hearings, and I can verify that the allegations relate to the conduct of UK particular forces.

"This confirmation is made in the exceptional circumstances of this inquiry, where the activities of this organisation are the central focus of the inquiry's investigation, as set out in its terms of reference.

"Outside of this very particular context, such affirmation shouldn't be seen to change the longstanding place of this authorities, and former governments, to not touch upon the deployment or actions of the UK particular forces."

Two RMP investigations, codenamed Operation Northmoor and Operation Cestro, are set to be scrutinised by the probe.

No prices have been introduced beneath Operation Northmoor, a £10m investigation which was arrange in 2014 to look at allegations of executions by particular forces.

Operation Cestro noticed three troopers referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority. None of the three ended up dealing with prosecution.

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The inquiry is about to have a look at allegations that "numerous" killings have been carried out, the alleged cover-up of criminality and insufficient investigations by the RMP.

At the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday, the inquiry's chairman, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, stated he just lately visited the workplace of the prosecutor on the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Arguments from the MoD and the RMP for restriction orders to be positioned over a number of the proof submitted to the inquiry are being introduced at a two-day listening to.