Britain tells Afghans they can come to UK – but only if Taliban approves documents

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. UK officials have told applicants to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme – for those who helped British forces during the war – that birth and marriage certificates must be provided in English with stamps from the Afghan government departments, run by the Taliban since the militant group swept to power in August 2021. She said Afghan marriage certificates were not readily available in English and the Taliban had “pretty much stopped” issuing children’s passports, leaving eligible Arap applicants stuck in Afghanistan because they don’t have documentation for their children. “These requests by the UK government show a complete disregard to the grave realities eligible Afghans face, pushing desperate men into perilous situations.” Labour’s shadow defence secretary John Healey MP said ministers “should never have allowed the application process to potentially threaten their safety”, adding: “Britain has a moral duty to assist and protect them. Ministers urgently need to fix the Arap scheme – and speed up applications and relocations.” Chair of the defence select committee, Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, warned extra vigilance was needed from the UK government to ensure those who worked for it or were promoted by it were not put in harm’s way, adding: “We need to ensure our offers of protection are not compromised.