A stark plea to help Afghans who fought alongside British troops – one that cannot be ignored

The news last month that hundreds of Afghan special forces soldiers who fought against the Taliban will have their cases for sanctuary in the UK reviewed was very welcome.

The Independent, along with Lighthouse Reports and Sky News, has been pushing for months for the government to do something to right what is a shameful episode. The Ministry of Defence finally relented and agreed to review their applications to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy scheme.

Crucially, the ministry has conceded that they were paid by the British. Thus, the Afghan special forces soldiers, who were members of Commando Force 333 and Afghan Territorial Force 444, and trained by Britain’s own world-class special forces, will be allowed to bring their family members with them to the UK, meaning thousands of people will probably be given sanctuary.

That decision took place after far too long a period of inertia and delay, which mean that pressure must be maintained and that The Independent will keep campaigning for those let down by the British government. To that end, we report today on the case of an Afghan commando who fought alongside British troops in Afghanistan. Abdul, as we are calling him to protect his safety, managed to escape from Afghanistan but had his application to come to the UK rejected last year.

Alex Isaac, a British former paratrooper, who worked side-by-side with Abdul across two tours of duty, has spoken to The Independent to issue a direct plea to ministers to give his comrade sanctuary. He details his close relationship with Abdul and the work that Abdul did in the fight against the Taliban. Abdul calls Alex “brother”. To not act after reading such words of bravery and camaraderie would be nothing but callous. Britain owes a debt that it needs to make sure it honours.

And that does not mean the bare minimum, and more months of waiting with little action. This newspaper does not believe that a generous and respectful treatment of all those who verifiably served with British troops in Afghanistan would open the way to an unacceptably large number of claims for the government to deal with. On the contrary, it is the least that this nation can do.

Abdul has spoken about the fears for his safety if he was sent back to Afghanistan from the Nordic country in which he is currently living. It is not something that someone who has put so much into helping UK troops should have hanging over his head. The same goes for any of the other troops who put their lives on the line – and neither should their families.

It is only fair to leave the last words to Abdul and Alex. “I have family in the UK, and my colleagues who I worked with. I served for 10 years with my British colleagues,” Abdul has said. For Alex, the message for the government is clear: “It’s obvious that he is eligible – and he’s stuck. What are you going to do about it?”