Retired SAS commander Colonel Jim Blackwell denies hiding a classified document which points to the possibility of civilian deaths in Afghanistan.
The report outlines civilian casualties during the 2010 SAS raid could have happened due to a faulty helicopter gun used by American troops supporting the mission.
- Operation Burnham inquiry: Former military official admits Prime Minister wasn't provided with all information
- Nicky Hager accuses Defence Force of lying at Operation Burnham inquiry
- Two-day hearing looking into allegations of NZ SAS killing civilians in Afghanistan begins
The Defence Force categorically denied the possibility of civilian deaths until 2014, when the document - put together by an international investigative body - was unearthed at the bottom of a safe.
The Inquiry into Operation Burnham has heard how the report was actually given to the NZDF in 2011, but questions are now being asked about who put it there, and whether it was hidden as part of a wider cover-up.
Colonel Blackwell is being probed about whether he was the one who locked the report away, as a signature on the document bundle points to the "office of the director of special operations" - his role at the time.
But he told the inquiry that it is not his handwriting on the document register. He also says that he printed a copy of the report, after receiving it, and handed it on to deputy chief of staff at the time, Mike Thompson.
"I said to him that this was a document the chief of defence and Minister of Defence needed to see.
"I only provided one copy of the (IAT) report, but it seems from reading OCDF Classified Document Register, that another copy WAS made so one could be sent to the Minister's office and the other left in Mike Thompson's safe."
Blackwell also says he remembers telling the minister there may have been unintended civilian deaths due a faulty gun site, which the report pointed to.
He also reiterated that when he passed the document onto Thompson, he made it clear he was available to talk to the chief of defence about it in more detail
The inquiry continues with Mike Thompson being re-called for for cross-examination.
Newshub.
