The SNP has said Dominic Raab (pictured) will cause long-term damage to his position and the credibility and authority of the Tory government unless he resigns – or is sacked by the Prime Minister.
It comes after the Foreign Office was forced to admit that the urgent phone call requested by officials, to help interpreters flee Afghanistan, was never made – after the Foreign Secretary said he was “unavailable” during his holiday at a five-star hotel in Crete.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP said:
“It is utterly unforgivable that when Afghanistan was falling, Dominic Raab was too busy relaxing on a sun lounger in a five-star luxury holiday resort to fulfil the basic duties of his job.
“The Foreign Secretary has put people’s lives at risk and he must go – or he will do long-term damage to his role and the credibility and authority of the Tory government.
“This is a serious question of judgement for Boris Johnson.
“If Mr Raab doesn’t resign – he must be sacked, or the Prime Minister’s own position will become even more precarious.
“The UK government shares responsibility for the biggest foreign policy disaster of modern times.
“It beggars’ belief that arrogant Tory ministers jetted off on holiday instead of leading efforts to protect the soldiers, interpreters and vulnerable Afghan citizens that they had abandoned.
“It is essential that the UK government radically improves its support for vulnerable Afghan citizens by at least doubling the number of refugees it has pledged to take, reversing Tory cuts to foreign aid, and working with international partners to protect human rights and ensure safe routes out of Afghanistan.”
