Taliban 'Officious Not Malicious' At Evacuation Airport, Defence Minister Says

The Taliban are being "officious rather than malicious" in stopping people from reaching Kabul airport for evacuation flights, according to Defence Minister James Heappey.

Mr Heappey also said he hopes the Taliban will be "different this time", amid widespread reports that its militants have used violence against Afghans – including preventing people reaching the airport to escape.

A total of 963 people have been evacuated from Kabul on the RAF "air bridge" in the last 24 hours, according to the minister.

The former soldier, who fought in Afghanistan, added that he is kept "awake at night" by the knowledge the UK will not be able to get "absolutely everybody out".

Watch: Emotional Defence Secretary admits "some people won't get back" from Afghanistan.

When asked about the evacuation effort, Mr Heappey highlighted the most recent numbers before telling Sky News: "That’s a significant acceleration on the numbers over the previous 24 hours and reflects that we are now fully up to speed in Kabul with the military, Border Force, Foreign Office consular staff all now up and running.

"We're looking forward to delivering similar numbers today, tomorrow and over the days ahead."

Mr Heappey said it is unclear how long the UK evacuation plan will last as it is dependent on the "dynamic" circumstances.

He said he understands that the Taliban is not turning people away from Kabul airport, noting: "Where they have done, I've heard it's more that they are being officious rather than malicious."

He went on to say: "It makes me sick, of course it does, to see the scenes we're seeing in Afghanistan; I gave some of the best years of my life and I risked my life in Afghanistan.

"The fact the Taliban is part of the peace, as painful as that is for people like me who have served, was always going to be the reality."

Watch: Afghanistan – the world watches as the Taliban enter Kabul.

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