Justice for Cameron’s abandoned translator
New life in UK for Afghan hero behind Mail campaign
DaviD Cameron’s former afghan translator wept with joy yesterday after being told he and his family can finally begin a new life in the UK.
Despite working with the British military for six years – three on the frontline and three with senior officers and visiting politicians such as Mr Cameron – Shaffy was denied relocation to Britain because of his dismissal over allegations he categorically denied.
But the 33-year-old father-of-five will now be allowed to settle in the UK after lawyers pressed for a judicial review, leading to the ex-translator – twice injured by Taliban bombs – being granted sanctuary under the afghan Relocation and assistance Programme (aRaP).
The U-turn is a victory for the Daily Mail, lawyers, campaigners and members of the military Shaffy worked with.
This newspaper’s award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign was launched after we heard the disturbing details of Shaffy’s case in august 2015. We have fought for afghan translators who helped the British war effort before being abandoned to the Taliban.
Shaffy was fired in 2013 for what Ministry of Defence officials described as serious offences that centred on allegations of sexual threats to a woman officer. investigations by Major General Charles Herbert, a former commander of British forces in Helmand, raised questions about the allegations.
The release of Shaffy’s personal file following court action raised further doubts about the case and his dismissal, leading to the offer of relocation. Shaffy said: ‘The Daily Mail never gave up on me over seven years of the darkest, most dangerous times and i thank you for helping to save my life. There will always be a place in my heart for you.
‘it was 3.15 in the morning when i opened the email from the Ministry of Defence saying that i was eligible for relocation. The news was amazing. There were lots of tears of happiness and relief.
‘From the day i appeared on afghan and international television beside David Cameron, i became a prized target for the Taliban. They told me i was an “infidel spy” because i stood with Mr Cameron helping the British as they killed their fighters and that i would die because of it.’
He added: ‘i want to thank the British Government, my lawyers, campaigners and those like the Daily Mail who believed in me.’
Major General Herbert, a Nato adviser, said: ‘i am absolutely delighted that Shaffy has finally been granted eligibility.
‘it was an abhorrent miscarriage of justice.’