Former Prime Minister Theresa May has savaged Boris Johnson over the Afghanistan crisis, telling her successor it represents a "major setback for British foreign policy".
In a damning speech, the ex-Tory leader hit out over the snap withdrawal of troops, which led to the lightning return to power of the Taliban on Sunday, warning the PM the UK will be "judged by our deeds, not our words".
Afghans were seen clinging to planes and clambering across the tarmac at Kabul airport in a desperate bid to leave the war-torn country as militant forces ousted the western-backed government.
Several reports of human rights abuses, especially against women, have emerged in the days that followed.
“This has been a major setback for British foreign policy. We boast about Global Britain - but where is Global Britain on the streets of Kabul?," said Mrs May.
“A successful foreign policy strategy will be judged by our deeds, not our words.”
Turning to the issue of troops, she added: “The politicians sent them there, the politicians decided to withdraw, the politicians must be responsible for the consequences.”
It came as MPs gathered in the Commons after the Prime Minister recalled Parliament to debate Afghanistan.
Mr Johnson denied the Government had been unprepared for the Taliban takeover at the weekend.
Ministers have faced intense criticism – not least from Tories – following the rapid unravelling at the weekend of the Western-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani in the face of the Taliban advance.
He told the packed Commons chamber the priority now is to evacuate remaining British nationals and their allies.
Mr Johnson said when ministers came to consider the UK’s options after the US announced its intention to withdraw, they came up against the “hard reality” that there was no will among allies to continue without the Americans.
“The West could not continue this US-led mission, a mission conceived and executed in support of America,” he said.
“I really think that it is an illusion to believe that there is appetite amongst any of our partners for a continued military presence or for a military solution imposed by Nato in Afghanistan. That idea ended with the combat mission in 2014.
“I do not believe that today deploying tens of thousands of British troops to fight the Taliban is an option that, no matter how sincerely people may advocate it – and I appreciate their sincerity – but I do not believe that that is an option that would commend itself either to the British people or to this House.
“We must deal with the position as it is now, accepting what we have achieved and what we have not achieved.”
