Lord David Richards, former Chief of the Defence Staff, hit out at the Government over its decision to bring Britons back home as the Taliban make advances throughout the country. He told BBC Newsnight the move was “an admission of dismal failure” and that he was “ashamed” of the situation Britain is in.

       Lord Richards said: “It is a tacit, explicit really, admission of a dismal failure of geo-strategy and of statecraft.

       “I had hoped that we would hear from the Government an explanation for why we’re in this position, and then, an explanation on how they are going to avert this disaster.

       “All we’ve heard tonight… it is an admission of failure and a desire to pull people out.

       “That seems to me… I’m almost ashamed that we’re in this position.”

       Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat echoed Lord Richards’ remarks, claiming the UK and US have failed in Afghanistan by sending troops to help their citizens leave the country.

       Six hundred troops from the UK and 3,000 US troops are heading to Afghanistan to help complete the evacuation.

       In a thread of posts shared on his Twitter account, Mr Tugendhat said: “The decision to withdraw is like a rug pulled from under the feet of our partners.”

       He added: “A hasty exit is not a sign of success.

       "Needing reinforcements to keep the door open as you leave is a sure sign of failure.