PMQs: Mark Francois on Afghanistan video from Ellwood
Tobias Ellwood has quit as chair of the Commons Defence Select Committee.
The Tory MP came under fire in July over a video posted on social media praising Afghanistan as “transformed” under the Taliban’s rule.
In the widely-criticised clip, Mr Ellwood urged the UK to re-engage with the country.
The former defence minister was facing a potential vote of no confidence from MPs on the cross-party committee.
But the Express understands Mr Ellwood has now resigned as chair of the group.
Fellow Conservatives on the committee had condemned the “utterly bizarre” clip, which was welcomed by the Taliban.
The former soldier later admitted he “got it wrong” and deleted the video.
Speaking in July, he told TalkTV: “It’s important to put your hand up and acknowledge errors, however well-intentioned.
“I stand up, I speak my mind. I try and find solutions especially on the international stage, and I’m very, very sorry that my reflection of my visit could have been much better worded and have been taken out of context.”
Mr Ellwood added: “I’ll be very clear the last couple of days have probably been the most miserable as a Member of Parliament. I got it wrong.”
The Tory MP used the clip filmed during a trip to Helmand province to urge the Government to reopen the British embassy in Kabul.
He claimed that security in Afghanistan had “vastly improved”, “corruption is down” and the opium trade has “all but disappeared”.
The country was recaptured by the fundamentalists as the West withdrew in 2021.
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