Afghan interpreters: UK should ‘match US commitment’, says Starmer

LONDON: Sir Keir Starmer has urged the government to follow the lead of the US by speeding up efforts to resettle Afghan interpreters who supported British forces.

The Labour leader added the UK had a “moral duty” to help the interpreters, who may be in danger from the Taliban if they stay in Afghanistan.

The first flight evacuating Afghan interpreters to the US arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport on Friday morning.

Sir Keir told broadcasters: “I would like to see the government show the same initiative. The interpreters in Afghanistan have been hugely important to us and we owe them a moral duty to look after them now in the circumstances. So I would like to see our government matching the commitment of the US on this and the sooner we are able to do this, the better.”

On Wednesday, more than 40 senior UK military figures warned “time is of the utmost essence” to help Afghans who served alongside British armed forces to resettle. The letter called for efforts to resettle Afghan interpreters in the UK to be stepped up in the face of a “resurgent Taliban”.