Afghanistan: British embassy guards will be evacuated, minister says, following reports more than 100 told they are ineligible for UK assistance
Armed forces minister James Heappey suggests the government has U-turned on the matter, saying聽British embassy security guards - who it was thought would be left behind - are now at the airport and in the process of being evacuated.
Friday 20 August 2021 09:27, UK
Afghan security guards manning the British embassy will be evacuated on Friday, armed forces minister James Heappey has confirmed, following reports that more than 100 staff in Kabul were told they were not eligible for assistance.
A report in The Guardian suggested guards at the British embassy in Kabul were told they would not be supported by the UK because they were hired by a contractor, a situation described by the Labour Party as "a shameful betrayal".
Most of the 125 security personnel employed by GardaWorld - some of whom have worked at the embassy for a decade - were given notice that they no longer have jobs, the report said.
But speaking to Sky News on Friday morning, Mr Heappey suggested the government had U-turned on the matter, saying British embassy security guards - who it was thought would be left behind - are now at the airport and in the process of being evacuated.
Pressed on the matter, the defence minister said: "If you're referring to the GardaWorld staff who protect the embassy, I can tell you they have arrived at the airport this morning and we'll be moving them out later today."
Mr Heappey could not say why the evacuation of these individuals was ever in doubt.
In response to the reports overnight, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are clear there is absolutely no legitimate basis to prevent civilians from travelling to safety.
"We are monitoring the situation with GardaWorld closely and remain in contact with them to provide any required assistance."
Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said ministers should be "ashamed" to potentially leave security guards in Afghanistan and called on the government to rethink its policy.
"To leave over a hundred guards at the British embassy in Kabul without protection is a shameful betrayal of brave Afghans who have risked their lives serving alongside our representatives in Afghanistan," he said.
"Ministers should be ashamed. They are not living up to our obligations as a country and are trashing Britain's reputation around the world.
"Their gross negligence is putting lives at grave risk. They must U-turn on this - urgently", he added.
"Yet again the foreign secretary has made a dangerous blunder. He should have resigned today and if he is - dishonourably - refusing to go, the prime minister should sack him immediately."
Dominic Raab has resisted calls to resign as foreign secretary after he declined to speak to the Afghan foreign minister while on holiday as the Taliban closed in on Kabul.
Sky News understands that the Ministry of Defence is not letting contractors know they could be eligible for help under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, but people and companies are expected to apply for it themselves.
The scheme offers relocation or other assistance to current and former locally employed staff in Afghanistan to reflect the changing situation in the country, according to the government's website.
Under the new scheme, those deemed to be at serious risk of threat to life will be offered priority relocation to the UK regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served.
The UK has promised to take in 20,000 Afghan refugees, with military flights arriving at RAF Brize Norton each day.