An independent judge-led inquiry must be established to investigate the “chilling” allegations of abuse and cover ups by the British army, it was demanded today.

Evidence implicating British soldiers in the murder of children and the torture of civilians was covered up by military commanders, according to leaked documents that had been kept secret by the government.

Military detectives unearthed disturbing allegations that senior commanders had tried to hide war crimes by British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, a year-long investigation by The Sunday Times and the BBC Panorama programme has established.

Stewart McDonald, the SNP’s defence spokesman, said the claims amounted to gross violations of the Geneva Convention and said the International Criminal Court should be consulted. He heaped scorn on the reported attempts