Former Afghan Interpreters Win Ruling

Three former interpreters employed by the British armed forces in Afghanistan whose lives are said to be still in danger have won permission to bring a High Court challenge against the Government over the assistance they have been offered.

A judge has ruled it is "arguable" that they have been "unlawfully treated differently" from Iraqi interpreters who also needed assistance through benefits and resettlement packages when their lives became endangered through assisting the British in the Iraq war.

Mr Justice Mitting, sitting in London, said the case should go to a full hearing at which the Government was likely to have to justify any difference in treatment.

He said: "It may well succeed in doing so, but that is a matter to be pursued at the full hearing and not at this stage."

Today's ruling was a victory for three claimants, Afghan nationals Mohammed Rafi Hotak and AP, who are now in the UK, and AL, who remains in Afghanistan.

The identities of two of the men are being kept secret to protect them and their families from the Taliban who regard them as "infidel spies".