Exclusive
The minister for Afghanistan Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon was also on leave last week, as Kabul fell.
He was on a staycation and not back at his desk until Monday.
Although he knew Afghan FM Haneef Atmar, he was not asked to make the call on Friday.
More on @SkyNews now
The minister for Afghanistan Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon was also on leave last week, as Kabul fell.
He was on a staycation and not back at his desk until Monday.
Although he knew Afghan FM Haneef Atmar, he was not asked to make the call on Friday.
More on @SkyNews now
An FCDO spokesperson said:
"Lord Ahmad has been working closely with the Foreign Secretary and the FCDO team throughout the response to events in Afghanistan, including engaging with international partners."
"Lord Ahmad has been working closely with the Foreign Secretary and the FCDO team throughout the response to events in Afghanistan, including engaging with international partners."
Lord Ahmad is minister of state for South Asia, has been in post for four years, and has been involved in the peace talks underway in Doha between the Taliban and Afghan government over the past year.
Lord Ahmad was in the UK and working on cases raised by MPs of Brits and Afghans seeking to get out.
But it was Lord Goldsmith - minister for the Pacific who splits his time with the environment department who was asked by officials to make the call to Afghan foreign minister.
But it was Lord Goldsmith - minister for the Pacific who splits his time with the environment department who was asked by officials to make the call to Afghan foreign minister.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
