Inquiry After Afghans Told Taliban Must Stamp Papers

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation after The Independent revealed that Afghans were told they could come to safety in Britain only after their documents were approved by the Taliban.

- Holly Bancroft

The government confirmed yesterday that UK officials had told 37 applicants to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Police (Arap) scheme - designed to resettle those who worked directly with British forces that they would need to provide papers that had been certified by Afghan government departments that have been run by the Taliban since the militant group seized power in August 2021.

The MoD initially denied the practice but has now apologised "unreservedly for this error". Charities said those seeking to flee the country were being put in danger and one MP said the demand was like "asking them to sign their own death warrant".

In an updated statement, an MoD spokesperson told The Independent a review would now be carried out.