Minister offers hope to translators

THE Defence Secretary has vowed to look into claims that Afghan interpreters promised the chance of sanctuary in Britain have been told it may be more than a year before decisions are made on their fate.

Mr Williamson said he understood the concerns of translators, who warn the delay leaves them exposed to a resurgent Taliban who say they will ‘die like dogs’.

Speaking during a trip to Afghanistan, he said he would ‘certainly take this up and have a look at the detail’, adding: ‘We all recognise, everyone in Government, the enormous contribution that these brave Afghans made.’

Britain’s longest-serving translator was recently attacked by a suspected Taliban gunman in Kabul. Two more say they are ‘in talks’ with people smugglers to enter Britain illegally rather than wait. It is three months since Mr Williamson gave fresh hope by announcing he was tearing up a ‘failed’ policy which meant the men who risked their lives for UK troops had been abandoned. Officials said 50 who served on the frontline in Helmand, and their families, would be granted visas to Britain.

The decision was a huge victory for the Daily Mail’s three-year Betrayal Of The Brave campaign. But former SAS translator Abdul, 33, said he had been told he could have to wait more than a year for a decision. And Shaffy, 28, who was told he would ‘die like a dog’ days after he was shown on TV with then PM David Cameron, said: ‘It is nearly three months since I gave my details to the unit and applied under the policy but I have heard nothing.’ The MoD has said it is ‘working hard’ to identify which interpreters are eligible for relocation.

‘Enormous contribution the brave Afghans made’