Lord Robertson, former secretary general of the military alliance, urged the government to show decency and give the pilot the respect and safety he deserves.
The case of the Afghan Air Force serviceman, who served alongside British forces, sparked an outcry after it was revealed by The Independent earlier this week. Other leading figures to call for him to remain in the UK include Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, defence select committee chair Tobias Ellwood and former chief of joint operations Gen Sir Richard Barrons.
The pilot is facing removal because he arrived in Britain on a small boat, unable to secure a safe and legal route. He described how he spent months travelling by car, truck and boat to get to Europe, paying thousands of pounds to smugglers. His only possessions were his flight documents, proving his identity and his military service. He said his wife begged him to flee and leave her behind while he made his perilous journey across five countries.
This story is from the April 01, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the April 01, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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