THE Tory peer who works as the minister for Afghanistan was on holiday as Kabul fell, according to reports.
Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, who has been the UK Government’s Minister for South Asia since 2017, was reportedly in regular contact with the Afghan foreign minister as peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government were ongoing.
However, when Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab refused to take time out of his holiday to make a phone call to Afghanistan which may have saved the lives of interpreters, Ahmad was also taking a break.
Instead the call was delegated to Lord Peter Goldsmith, according to Sky News, and ultimately never made.
As well as the two top Tories, three of Britain's most senior civil servants whose departments are overseeing the evacuation from Afghanistan are also on holiday, according to The Times.
Sir Philip Barton, Matthew Rycroft and David Williams, permanent secretaries at the Foreign Office, the Home Office, and the Ministry of Defence, are all currently holidaying.
READ MORE: WATCH: Priti Patel's cruelty laid bare in video played outside Home Office
The news comes as Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf accused Raab of “having pina coladas by the pool” instead of making the key call to help Afghan interpreters.
Yousaf was speaking at a rally in Glasgow when he took aim at the Tory government.
“In amongst all these big numbers, in amongst the trillions and the billions and the millions and the hundreds of thousands, not one single apology from the UK Government,” he said.
“Not one single syllable of regret. Not one single ounce of compassion from the UK Government even now at the most desperate time of need for our Afghan brothers and sisters.
“Shame on each and every one of those political leaders who have abandoned the Afghan people.”
He added: “All the while we have a Foreign Secretary who is more occupied with having pina coladas by the pool as opposed to picking up the phone to help Afghan interpreters who helped our soldiers there in Afghanistan.
“Shame on each and every one of them.”
The Health Secretary (above) described himself as “apoplectic” about the situation in Afghanistan, but added: “As angry as I may be, and I say that on this typically Scottish day as the rain pours down and I see dozens of people, dozens of Glaswegians from all colours and races, religions, non-religions, standing here today in solidarity with the Afghan people, and I am reminded that there is good in the world.”
This week, the Prime Minister pledged to take in 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan, with up to 5000 to be allowed into the UK in the first year.
But Yousaf attacked the scheme and the UK Government, saying: “If you’re looking for sanctuary, then Scotland can be your home.
“If you’re looking for a place for refuge, then Scotland can be your home.
“I call on the UK Government to show some basic humanity.
“To simply say we will allow 5000 Afghans – 20,000 over a number of years – is pathetic.
“Go further and go quicker, and I promise you our Scottish cities, our Scottish islands, our Scottish towns, our Scottish villages, they will welcome Afghans here as we have done for many years before with our Afghan community.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel