Defence Secretary Promises To 'Personally Review' Afghan Civilian Resettlement Claims

The Defence Secretary has pledged to "personally review contentious claims" regarding Afghan civilians who worked with coalition forces and wish to resettle in the UK.

Ben Wallace posted a series of tweets outlining the Government's position, including stating that: "We accept staff dismissed for minor offences on to the scheme.

"Our scheme is open-ended and will not end when we leave," he added.

"Decisions are based on the threat to the civilians' life, their eligibility and the security of UK citizens. identities and eligibility.

"We have streamlined checks to help as many civilians as possible, but we must continue to verify claimants' identity."

The Defence Secretary's Twitter thread follows the writing of a letter to the Government by dozens of former senior military figures, who called for more Afghans who worked alongside British troops in the country to be allowed to resettle in the UK.

They suggested that "far too many applicants are being rejected" adding that they are "gravely concerned" by the situation, with the Taliban a threat to the safety of Afghans who worked with coalition forces.

This year, the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was introduced, and in May, Mr Wallace announced the programme was being accelerated so hundreds more Afghan civilians who supported the British military during the war in Afghanistan could settle in the UK.

The letter added: "Far too many applications are being rejected despite the recent changes to the policy.

"Too many of our former interpreters have unnecessarily and unreasonably been rejected from relocation to safety in the UK and we strongly urge that the policy is reviewed again immediately, to ensure more are given sanctuary."

The letter went on to urge the Government to amend the policy to allow all former interpreters the chance to live in the UK, "unless it is proven that they have committed such an offence that constitutes a threat to national security".

Hashmat Nawabi worked as an interpreter for British forces in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2012 and arrived in the UK recently.

He told Forces News the Taliban is "looking for a reason to harm people and to kill people… especially whoever worked for the coalition forces".

Cover image: PA.