Labour leader Keir Starmer has slammed the Prime Minister over events in Afghanistan, stating that Boris Johnson is 'incapable of international leadership' during a heated debate in the House of Commons today.
Speaking on the first day of Parliament after the summer recess, the leader of the opposition criticised the PM’s leadership, whilst praising the efforts of armed forces’ evacuation efforts.
The Labour leader described the fact that some people had been left behind in Afghanistan as a “national disgrace."
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Speaking in the Commons today, Sir Keir said: “We have a Prime Minister incapable of international leadership, just when we need it most.
“The heroes on the ground of Operation Pitting are the best of us. The Ambassador stayed to process every case he could. Paratroopers lifted people from the crush. Afghan soldiers continued to serve alongside us to the end. And thousands of others risked their lives to help others escape.
“They faced deadly violence and deliberately engineered chaos with courage, calm and determination.
“All those involved deserve political leadership equal to their service. But they were let down. They were let down on strategy. The Prime Minister underestimated the strength of the Taliban.”
The PM defended his and the government's actions over recent years, saying: “If anyone is tempted to say that we have achieved nothing in that country, tell them that our armed forces enabled 3.6m girls to go to school.
“Tell them that we have just mounted the biggest humanitarian airlift in human history.”
The statement comes as Taliban forces in Afghanistan announced that they have taken control of the Panjshir province, the final part of Afghanistan that they had yet to take over.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also refused to answer questions from Scottish National Party minister Ian Blackford over whether Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would be fired for his involvement in the Afghanistan crisis.
During his speech to Parliament today, the PM announced further funding to help ex-soldiers from Afghanistan.
The scheme, which will see a further £5m offered from the government to military charities to ensure veterans can get the support they need.
Sir Keir slated the scheme, suggesting the funding was not enough to help all veterans.
The Labour leader said: “The new funding announced today is welcome, but it is unlikely to be enough. Previous funding was described as “scandalous” by the Select Committee and the Office for Veterans Affairs is still being cut.
“The entire armed forces and veterans deserve proper support for mental health.”
Plans were also announced to offer 25k Afghan refugees a place in the United Kingdom in the coming years, with 5k being offered a place within the first year.
Labelled as ‘Operation Warm Welcome’ Anyone entering the UK through ‘safe and legal' means will be offered an indefinite visa to remain in the UK.
Both sides of parliament were quick to commemorate the work done by armed forces in ensuring safe passage from Kabul for all left stranded in the nation, with the Prime Minister saying they should be proud of their efforts.
