MPs will cram back into the Commons chamber in person to discuss the chaotic scenes in Afghanistan. Parliament had not been expected to return until September 6, but mounting criticism of the Government has forced the Prime Minister’s hand. The crisis talks will begin at 9.30am this morning with Tory MPs on a one-line whip, allowing them to speak freely on the issue without punishment from the party.
Former soldiers including MPs Johnny Mercer, Tom Tugendhat and Tobias Ellwood are expected to rage at US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw which facilitated the Taliban victory.
Mr Mercer told BBC Radio 4: "Parliament's being recalled - so what?
“The airport is under siege.
"Boris Johnson has said he doesn't want Afghanistan to become a place for terrorism, it doesn't mean anything to the families of those who lost their sons and daughters in this war."
President Biden yesterday defended his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan despite it triggering a string of victories to the Taliban – seizing 20 cities in only two weeks.
READ MORE: Taliban could axe evacuation flights any moment, warns Army chief
The President blamed the Taliban's victory on the Afghan army and political leaders who refused to fight or fled the hard-line militants.
The Taliban declared “the war was over” on Sunday after seizing the presidential palace in the capital city Kabul - sending former President Ashraf Ghani fleeing and sparking panic across the country.
Chaos erupted in Kabul as thousands of people stormed the airport in a desperate attempt to escape the Taliban’s feared rule.
There are widespread fears across Europe that this development could trigger a repeat of the 2015 migrant crisis as thousands leave Afghanistan fearing for their lives.
The Government has outlined a plan that will allow 20,000 refugees to resettle in the UK over seven years with priority given to women and girls who are most at risk of human rights abuses at the hands of the Taliban.
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