Minister defends Afghanistan evacuation efforts amid anger over those left behind

30 August 2021, 09:05 | Updated: 30 August 2021, 10:22

How did we get the evacuation from Kabul so wrong?

By Patrick Grafton-Green

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly has defended British evacuation efforts in Afghanistan amid anger that as many as 5,000 people eligible to come to the UK may have been abandoned to the Taliban.

LBC’s Andrew Pierce pointed out that the Government says between 800 and 1,100 eligible Afghans have been left behind, while the Labour Party puts the figure closer to 5,000.

The final British troops left Afghanistan on Saturday, ending a 20-year campaign there.

READ MORE: UK seeks safe passage assurances after last troops leave Afghanistan

READ MORE: Three children killed by US air strike targeting 'multiple suicide bombers' in Kabul

Speaking to Mr Cleverly on Monday morning, Andrew asked: “How did we get quite so badly wrong?”

The Middle East and North Africa minister insisted that "we have done a herculean task in the most incredibly difficult, challenging and unpredictable circumstances".

He also dismissed speculation that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been heavily criticised for his handling of the situation, was "toast" at the next cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Cleverly said "over 15,000 people" have been "evacuated or repatriated" in the last few weeks, including "a number of thousand people prior to the Taliban getting to Kabul".

He added: "We have extended in a very honourable and generous way the hand of refuge to those Afghans who whether they be perusing women's rights or girls' education or whether they were a religious minority or gay for example, and are now at risk from reprisals from the Taliban."

Pierce questions Foreign Office Minister on Pen Farthing

When pressed on the hundreds of Afghan interpreters who worked with the British military who remain in Afghanistan, some of whom have been murdered by the Taliban, the minister said: "Obviously we would have loved to have been in a position where we could have protected everybody that worked with or worked for us."

He said: "Of course it is heartbreaking to know not all of them were able to get out and some of them have been killed and are still at risk from the Taliban but we have not stopped our evacuation efforts and even though we don’t have access to Kabul airport anymore we’re still negotiating with other countries to look at other routes whereby those who were not able to get to Kabul can perhaps get out of the country by other means."

He added: "It was always going to be an incredibly difficult task getting absolutely everybody out that needed to get out when Afghanistan fell so very, very quickly, when the Taliban got to Kabul quicker than I suspect even they anticipated, it made the job of evacuations and repatriations unbelievably difficult."

On the suggestion Mr Raab was "toast", Mr Cleverly insisted: "Government departments and ministers - including Dominic - worked incredibly hard, we worked together, we were able to get out over 15,000 people in those last couple of weeks, because all bits of Government had a role to play and discharged those roles and those functions incredibly, incredibly, professionally.

"That includes Dominic, as well. None of us could have done it on our own, we could only do it working collaboratively, that's what happened."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Netanyahu faces arrest if he travels to Britain as Starmer vows to enforce International Criminal Court warrant

Yvette Cooper has branded the Rwanda scheme a "complete con."

Yvette Cooper to crack down on anti-social behaviour with new 'respect orders' as repeat offenders face jail time

King Charles III And Queen Camilla on Coronation Day

King Charles' coronation cost taxpayer £72 million, report reveals

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola signs two-year contract extension with Manchester City

Captain Tom's Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Behaviour at Captain Tom charity left ex-boss 'gobsmacked'

Armed robbers attempted to break into the star's Sunderland home.

Masked machete-wielding robbers break into Charlotte Crosby's home while she is upstairs with two-year-old daughter

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark triumphant finale

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark show's triumphant finale

King Charles performs a Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, with Mere Takoko

King Charles shares traditional Maori nose rub greeting with activist as he launches environmental charity

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile

Telegraph writer Allison Pearson.

Police drop investigation into journalist Allison Pearson over tweet - as review to be launched over handling of case

Exclusive
Angela Rayner has paid tribute to John Prescott

Angela Rayner says John Prescott 'used to call her after PMQs to remind her to stay true to who she is'

Four men have been arrested accused of attempting to rob a mobile phone store

Undercover police arrest four men after EE shop raided by masked gang

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Elon Musk pledges to fire civil servants who work from home