Foreign AffairsSpeeches

David Lammy – 2021 Comments on Foreign Office Whistleblower

The comments made by David Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, on 7 December 2021.

This devastating testimony alleges that while Kabul fell and British troops risked their lives, the Foreign Secretary was asleep at the wheel and the department’s response was shambolic and incompetent.

This whistleblower paints a picture of chaos and dysfunction, for which innocent Afghans have paid the ultimate price. Crucial emails left unread. The crisis centre chronically understaffed. Afghan allies abandoned. Only 5% of those needing help receiving it. And a foreign secretary – and still the Deputy Prime Minister – who was lounging on the beach and had lost all grip of his department.

This evidence raises the most serious questions of competence during a moment of international crisis. The Foreign Secretary must urgently come to the House and address these claims.