Diplomats have been “steadfast” in dealing with the mission of rescuing Afghan refugees

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The Department of Defense is determined to continue the responsibility of helping former Afghan interpreters come to the UK, rather than ceding control of the program to the FCDO or the Home Office. Ben Wallace, the defense secretary, estimated that as many as 1,100 were left behind, last week.

It is understood that moves are underway to strengthen the network of British defense attaches in the region, which could lead to sending more military personnel to the embassies in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. They will aim to assist interpreters who are able to escape from Afghanistan across the land border.

Senior officials said Whitehall’s machine was malfunctioning in setting up operations to help desperate Afghans flee once the airlift from Kabul airport ended.

A government source said planning for the second phase of evacuations from Afghanistan through third countries was “extremely inefficient”.

The latest British evacuation flights left Kabul on Saturday, stranding dozens, including a former British soldier who helped dozens of people leave Afghanistan after the Taliban invaded.

On Sunday, Sir Laurie Bristow, Britain’s ambassador to Afghanistan, arrived at RAF Brize Norton pledging to reopen the embassy in Kabul “as soon as possible”.

He said: “We have had to leave Afghanistan for the time being and the embassy will operate from Qatar for the time being. But we will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan, working on humanitarian, diplomatic and security work and above all bringing Afghan and British nationals to the UK who still need our support.”

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