Afghanistan: Over 100 guards at the British Embassy in Kabul say they do not qualify for British protection – report | UK news

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Labor said leaving embassy staff without British protection was a “shameful betrayal”, after reports that more than 100 guards at the British embassy in Kabul were told they were not qualified.

According to a report in the Guardian, the workers will not be supported by the UK because they have been hired by a contractor.

The report says that most of GardaWorld’s 125 security personnel – some of whom have worked at the embassy for a decade – have received notice that they no longer have jobs.

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British passport holders queue to leave Kabul

In response, a State Department spokesperson said: “We are clear that there is absolutely no legitimate basis for preventing civilians from traveling to safety.

“We are closely monitoring the situation with GardaWorld and remain in contact with them to provide any assistance needed.”

Nick Thomas Symonds, Labor’s Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Leaving the more than a hundred guards at the British Embassy in Kabul unprotected is a shameful betrayal of the brave Afghans who risked their lives serving alongside our representatives in Afghanistan.

“Ministers should be ashamed. They do not live up to our obligations as a nation and are damaging to Britain’s reputation around the world.

“Their gross negligence is putting lives in grave danger. They must change this situation – urgently.”

“Once again, the foreign minister made a terrible mistake. He should have resigned today and if he shamefully refuses to resign, the prime minister should dismiss him immediately.”

Dominic Raab has resisted calls to resign as foreign minister after refusing to speak to Afghanistan’s foreign minister while on vacation as the Taliban approached Kabul.

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British passport holders await rescue

Sky News understands that the Department of Defense does not let contractors know that they may be eligible for assistance under the Afghan Resettlement Plan and Assistance Policy (ARAP), but that people and companies are expected to apply themselves.

The scheme provides relocation or other assistance to current and former locally recruited employees in Afghanistan to reflect the changing situation in the country, according to the government’s website.

Under the new scheme, priority will be given to those deemed to be at significant risk to their life in the UK regardless of their employment status, rank, role or length of service.

The UK has promised to take in 20,000 Afghan refugees, with Brize Norton RAF military flights arriving every day.

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