Ex-soldier Tobias Ellwood resigns from prestigious defence role after backlash over 'Taliban propaganda' video

Tobias Ellwood, a former soldier and Member of Parliament for Bournemouth East, has today resigned from his position as Chair of the Commons Defence Committee following outrage over a video he posted on Twitter in July. The video, now known as X, received widespread criticism for its praise of the Taliban.

Outrage over Taliban comments

In the controversial video, Mr. Ellwood described Afghanistan under Taliban rule as a "country transformed" and claimed that "security has vastly improved, corruption is down and the opium trade has all but disappeared." These remarks led to an outcry among members of the Defence Committee, who were planning to remove him from his position as chair.

Resignation before no-confidence vote

In order to avoid a humiliating defeat in a no-confidence vote, Tobias Ellwood has chosen to resign as Chair of the Commons Defence Committee today. This decision means that members of Parliament will now have the opportunity to vote for a new committee chair to replace him.

Taliban's treatment of women

Last December, the Taliban imposed strict restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan, including banning women from attending school and shutting down hair and beauty salons. They also prohibited women from sitting university entrance exams. Despite this, Mr. Ellwood, who recently visited the country, made comments that suggested a positive change in security and other areas.

Apology after backlash

Following significant backlash from across the political spectrum, Tobias Ellwood apologized for his comments. He stated, "I stand up, I speak my mind. I try and find solutions especially on the international stage, and I’m very, very sorry that my reflection of my visit could have been much better worded and have been taken out of context."

Mr. Ellwood has not yet responded to requests for comment.