PMQs: Mark Francois on Afghanistan video from Ellwood
Tobias Ellwood has quit as chair of the Commons Defence Committee.
The Tory former defence minister came under fire in July over a video posted on social media praising Afghanistan as "transformed" under the Taliban's rule.
In the widely-criticised clip, Mr Ellwood urged the UK to re-engage with the country.
The ex-soldier later apologised and deleted the video, but members of the cross-party committee submitted a no-confidence motion on July 19.
In a resignation statement, Mr Ellwood said: "It is with deep regret that I have tendered my resignation as Chair of the Defence Committee.
Tobias Ellwood resigned as chair of the Defence Committee (Image: PA)
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"I believe I have a strong voice when it comes to defence and security. I stand up, speak my mind, try to see the bigger picture and offer solutions, especially on the international stage, as our world turns a dangerous corner.
"I don't always get it right - so it's right I put my hand up when I don't."
He said "poor communications" about engagement with Afghanistan were "understandably criticised at the time and reflected poorly on the Committee".
Mr Ellwood went on: "Whilst I do believe I retain the support of the majority of the committee, its dynamic and effectiveness would simply not be the same, and prove a distraction, if all in the room were not supportive of the chair."
He said he was "proud of the hard-hitting inquiries" the committee had produced and described leading its scrutiny as a "huge privilege".
Tory MPs Mark Francois and Richard Drax had joined Labour's Kevan Jones and Derek Twigg in submitting the motion.
A notice period of 10 sitting days for such confidence motions had been due to expire tomorrow.
In the clip filmed during a trip to Helmand province, Mr Ellwood urged the Government to reopen the British embassy in Kabul.
He claimed that security in Afghanistan had “vastly improved”, “corruption is down” and the opium trade has “all but disappeared”.
The country was recaptured by the fundamentalists as the West withdrew in 2021.
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