FIERY Boris Johnson today snapped back at claims the Government is failing to rescue stranded Afghans.
The PM revealed there are 311 Afghans eligible under the ARAP scheme still stuck in the country – and officials were working tirelessly to bring them to Britain.
Speaking in a packed Commons this afternoon, he vowed to honour the UK’s “obligation” to those who helped the Western campaign during the 20-year conflict.
He told MPs: “Let me say to anyone to whom we have made commitments – and who is currently in Afghanistan – we are working urgently with our friends in the region to secure safe passage and as soon as routes are available we will do everything possible to help you to reach safety.”
But he was accused of leading a chaotic government bungling the response to desperate Afghans on the ground.
Sir Keir Starmer branded the Government’s handling a “national disgrace” and claimed “the Government doesn’t have a plan to get everybody out”.
The Labour leader raged: “We have a Prime Minister incapable of international leadership, just when we need it most.”
Labour MP Helen Hayes blasted the lack of coordination between Whitehall departments.
She fumed: “My constituents are being passed from pillar to post. The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary are not responding to their emails.”
When will the Prime Minister sort out this lack of coordination in this Government?”
A rattled Mr Johnson rejected the accusations “in the strongest possible terms”.
He said: “The House has paid tribute, quite rightly Mr Speaker, to the work of the armed services over the last few weeks and months.
“But I think they should also pay tribute to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office rapid reaction team who went out to Afghanistan.
“They should pay tribute to the Border Force officials who went out there and who worked hand in glove to help thousands of people come to this country in safety.”
More than 15,000 people were airlifted from Kabul last month – including 8,000 Afghans under the ARAP scheme.
Another 20,000 Afghans will come to the UK under a refugee resettlement scheme over five years.
