Conservative MP Sir David Davis has warned that the SAS is losing experienced soldiers because of "decades of lawfare," with senior troops resigning over fears of legal action arising from their operations. He argues this is making elite units more risk-averse in the field and could ultimately undermine UK and international security, given that Britain and the US together provide the bulk of the world's special forces capability.

Davis, a former SAS reservist, cited the recent resignation of eight experienced Warrant Officers and said one of the SAS's four sabre squadrons is severely undermanned as a result, though exact departure numbers remain classified. He is preparing to table a Military Operations Bill in Parliament that would impose time limits on investigations, require ministerial authorisation for military action, and shield personnel from prosecution when acting within international humanitarian law; the effort follows the Daily Mail's "Stop the SAS Betrayal" campaign and comes amid the ongoing Independent Inquiry into alleged unlawful killings by UK forces in Afghanistan.