An Afghan war hero threatened with deportation to Rwanda has exposed a "gaping hole" in our asylum system, senior figures warned yesterday, as they called for Britain to fulfil its "duty" to those who served alongside coalition forces.
The Independent revealed this week that the pilot was forced to flee Afghanistan - leaving his young family - and travel to the UK on a small boat because he could find no safe and legal route out of the country.
Chair of the defence select committee Tobias Ellwood said the case shows there is "no functioning process" that allows Afghans to apply for asylum from abroad, adding: "This is clearly not who we are as a nation."
Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, added to the criticism, saying the government has a "duty" to look after those who fought alongside Britain.
Last night, Rishi Sunak promised to review the veteran's plight after he was questioned about The Independent's story during a grilling by MPs.
The pilot, who flew 30 combat missions against the Taliban and was praised by his coalition forces supervisor as a "patriot to his nation", claims he has been "forgotten" by US and British forces.
Tory MP Mr Ellwood told The Independent: "This case illustrates the gaping hole in the current system - there is no functioning process that allows Afghans to apply for asylum from abroad and there is something very wrong if pilots who worked alongside us in Afghanistan could now be sent to Rwanda."
He also called for the government to look at the case, saying: "This is clearly not who we are as a nation, and is not how our migration system should operate.
"I hope the government will look at this case specifically and address the wider issue of how an Afghan [who supported UK armed forces] can safely apply for asylum in the UK."
This story is from the March 29, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 29, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England cruise past France to seal another Grand Slam
The Women’s Six Nations revolution will have to wait for another year as England’s reign of terror goes on. For six years now the Red Roses have ruled this competition with an iron fist and jewel-studded crown, and the most dominant rugby team on the planet were garlanded again in the glory of a magisterial Bordeaux performance.
Why the shameless derby is a lose-lose clash for neutrals
Manchester City have made themselves hard to like amid allegations of financial wrongdoing, writes Peter Hall, but Nottingham Forest have taken negative PR to another level
United self-destruct again as Burnley win late penalty
Erik ten Hag objects when his Manchester United are described as a disgrace or an embarrassment, so there may be a need for a more measured turn of phrase. But this was an indictment: of a club, a team and a manager. United showcased their self-destructive streak again, suggesting no lead is safe when they possess it, and dropped two points.
Klopp farewell turning sour as Reds drop more points
Jurgen Klopp’s long Liverpool farewell is in danger of turning sour after a touchline row with Mohamed Salah during a 2-2 draw at West Ham, which hammered another dent into their fading title hopes.
Champions Barcelona ooze class as Hayes says goodbye
Barcelona win 2-1 on aggregate
WWE and Khan...the ideal tag team to conquer London
Professional wrestling and politics may seem like strange bedfellows, but that isn’t really the case. There’s a surprisingly rich history of the two crossing over, probably due to their shared tendency to blur reality and fiction, their reliance on larger-than-life personalities, and the fact that most people can’t help but complain no matter who wins.
Weinstein admitted to hospital after jail transfer
Harvey Weinstein, the former movie mogul and convicted sex offender, has been admitted to hospital in New York City, according to his lawyer. Arthur Aidala, an appellate lawyer for Weinstein, said yesterday that Weinstein was moved to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after he was transported to the city jails from a prison in upstate New York.
Iraqi social media star shot dead outside her own home
A popular Iraqi social media star has been shot dead outside her home in Baghdad, officials said.
Thousands rally in Madrid to support prime minister
Thousands of supporters and party members of Spain’s Socialist Party rallied outside the party’s national headquarters in Madrid yesterday to show their support for prime minister Pedro Sanchez and urged him not to step down.
British troops could be sent to Gaza to help deliver aid
The government is considering whether to send troops to Gaza to help deliver aid via a new sea route.
