Boris Johnson says we ‘must face the reality of regime change in Afghanistan’ during Commons grilling

BORIS Johnson today told MPs Britain “must face the reality of regime change in Afghanistan” during an emergency Commons debate.

The PM was bombarded from across the packed chamber about the UK’s withdrawal, engagement with the Taliban and ongoing evacuation of Kabul.

Tory big-hitters including Theresa May and veteran Tobias Ellwood turned the screw on their leader, who was forced to fend off a swell of criticism.

Mr Johnson opened eight hours of debate with a tribute to the 150,000 British troops who fought in Afghanistan during the 20-year conflict.

He insisted the mission had been “a success” and that loved ones of fallen troops should be “deeply proud” of their achievements.

But he said Britain must now accept the country was in the grip of the Taliban and should focus on holding the militants to their commitments.

The PM said: “We have agreed that it would be mistake for any country to recognise any new regime in Kabul prematurely, or bilaterally.

“Instead, those countries that care about Afghanistan’s future should work towards common conditions about the conduct of the new regime before deciding together whether to recognise it, and on what terms. 

“We will judge this regime based on the choices it makes an action rather than by its words.”

In key developments:

• The PM said it would have been impossible for UK forces to continue alone after the US pulled out
• He said events in Afghanistan have “unfolded” faster “than even the Taliban predicted”
• He said the Taliban were allowing evacuations from Kabul to happen
• The PM ruled out redeploying boots on the ground on a large scale in Afghanistan again
• He dismissed calls from for an inquiry into the war, saying most questions have already been answered
• He formally announced a “bespoke” plan to house 20,000 of the most vulnerable Afghan refugees
• Mr Johnson said foreign aid to Afghanistan would be doubled to £286million with immediate effect
• Sir Keir Starmer said “the PM’s judgement on Afghanistan has been appalling
• Matt Hancock was back in Westminster for the first time since resigning

INTELLIGENCE FAILURE

Many MPs used session to hammer the Government for withdrawing British troops from Afghanistan.

Shifting the blame onto President Biden, the PM said the UK’s hands were tied when the US pulled back their forces earlier this year.

He said: “The West could not continue this US-led mission, a mission conceived and executed in support of America.”

Former PM Ms May said ministers seemed to have withdrawn “on a wing and a prayer”, hoping it “would be all right on the night”.

The ex-premier railed: “Was our intelligence really so poor? Was our understanding of the Afghan government so weak? Was our knowledge of the position on the ground so inadequate?”

Mr Johnson said the Taliban’s power-grab had been faster “than even the Taliban predicted” but insisted the Government had not been caught “unawares”.

He hit back: “What is not true is to say the UK Government was unprepared or did not foresee this.”

NO CHILCOT 2.0

The PM left some of his own backbenchers seething as he slapped down calls for an urgent inquiry into the war in Afghanistan.

Tory chair of the the Commons Defence Committee Tobias Ellwood said there “are so many lessons to be learned” from the two-decade conflict.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford also agitated for a “judge-led inquiry”.

Rejecting the demand to heckling in the chamber Mr Johnson said “most of the key questions have already been extensively gone into”.

REFUGEE SCHEME

MPs tore into the Government’s fresh plan to provide sanctuary for thousands of Afghans desperate to flee the brutal militants.

Under a “bespoke resettlement scheme” 5,000 Afghans will be accepted in the first year followed by a further 15,000 in the “long term”.

It is separate from the ARAP scheme announced in April which aims to bring 10,000 at-risk local employees such as interpreters to the UK.

Ministers are under pressure to accept greater numbers more quickly amid fears the Taliban could block exits.

Confronting the PM, Labour MP Chris Bryant asked: “Only 5,000 will be able to come this year. What are the 15,000 meant to do? Hang around and wait until they have been executed?”

Mr Johnson assured the militants so far were not blocking people leaving and the Government.