Prioritising pets over interpreters was disgusting, say veterans

Former soldiers reveal anger over Kabul rescue of animals after claims PM approved evacuation flight

PRIORITISING cats and dogs over interpreters to be evacuated from Afghanistan was “disgusting,” former British soldiers have said.

Charities estimate up to 300 Afghans still await relocation to Britain while more than 100 animals belonging to Pen Farthing’s charity Nowzad were evacuated during the Taliban takeover.

Ex-servicemen and interpreters who made it to the UK have described the allegations that Boris Johnson approved the animal evacuation as an “insult” stressing that Mr Farthing’s exit slot could have been used for an aircraft carrying people.

Ed Aitken, founder of the Sulha alliance charity, which helps support interpreters, and a former captain with the Royal Lancers Regiment, said: “What an insult to find out that even animals were given a special treatment whilst so many loyal Afghans are abandoned and fearing for their lives back in Afghanistan.”

Christopher Hicks, a former lancebombardier in the Royal Artillery Regiment, whose interpreter is now in hiding with his one-year-old son and wife in the war-torn capital, said: “It is disgusting, there is not much you can say. How can you prioritise animals over children, women and the people who worked for us?”

The Prime Minister labelled accusations that he intervened to ensure the animals safety as “total rhubarb”.

On Friday, the Foreign Office’s top mandarin apologised for misleading MPs on the issue. Sir Philip Barton had told the foreign affairs committee that the PM’s special representative for Afghanistan hadn’t received any correspondence relating to Mr Johnson and the Nowzad charity. But in emails revealed by BBC’s Newsnight, Mr Casey was seen to have asked an official “to seek clear guidance for us from No 10 asap on what they would like us to do” in the case.

Ricky Seyar Kohzad, who worked as an interpreter with the Army, said Britain had placed “more value” on animals than those who “risked their lives”.

The interpreter had fled Kabul with his wife, three sons and two daughters 10 days before the Taliban takeover.

During his near 20-year-long career, Kohzad had served with some of Britain’s most senior officers as well as visiting dignitaries and celebrities.

Speaking from his home in north Lincolnshire, Kohzad said: “It is really disappointing, my colleague who worked for so many years is still in Kabul. He is trying to hide and change house but instead they bothered with animals, it is really sad. “

Another interpreter now living with his family in the north of England said:

‘An insult to find out that animals were given special treatment while loyal Afghans were abandoned’

“One hundred lives is more important than 100 beasts. “I do not know why they have done this.”

Mr Farthing has repeatedly defended the evacuation with a statement on the charity Nowzad’s website saying: “Only Pen Farthing (British passport holder), with the Nowzad rescued animals in the cargo hold, was able to leave Kabul airport after the British military had already ended Operation Pitting.”

His charity did not respond when approached for comment.

The Government has stressed Mr Farthing and his animals left on their own charter flight and that Downing Street had simply sponsored clearance for its departure at Kabul.

A No10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister had no role in authorising individual evacuations during Operation Pitting, including Nowzad staff and animals.”