UK accused of leaving allies with ‘no safe route out’ of Afghanistan after ending evacuation support
The UK has been accused of a moral failure for ending evacuation support for nearly 9,000 Afghans eligible for relocation but still in Afghanistan. Critics, including MPs and campaigners, argue the decision leaves allies of British forces with no safe way to escape Taliban persecution. The government now expects these individuals to reach a third country independently to access visa and housing support.
- ▪Defence minister Luke Pollard announced the UK will no longer assist eligible Afghans in evacuating from Afghanistan.
- ▪Approximately 9,000 Afghans who worked with British forces are now expected to make their own way to a third country for relocation support.
- ▪Chair of the defence committee Tan Dhesi said some eligible Afghans are living in hiding and poverty after being told to wait for UK instructions.
- ▪Former interpreter Rafi Hottak described the policy as a 'moral and legal failure' given the risks Afghan allies took supporting UK operations.
- ▪Colonel Simon Diggins emphasized the UK's moral responsibility to protect those the Taliban continues to target.
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NewsUKHome NewsUK accused of leaving allies with ‘no safe route out’ of Afghanistan after ending evacuation supportColonel Simon Diggins, who served as a defence attache in Afghanistan, said the UK has a ‘moral responsibility’ to help those it promised to evacuate because the Taliban ‘is still coming after them’Holly Bancroft Home Affairs Correspondent Friday 01 May 2026 15:54 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove…
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