Emily
Editor, Senior Moderator
https://inews.co.uk/news/real-life/a...rthing-1156310
Ex-Marine trapped in Kabul urges Boris Johnson ‘get your s**t together’ after wife trapped in airport crush
Pen Farthing, who served in Helmand, is desperate to get 71 people – his staff and their families – along with over 200 of his rescue charity’s animals to safety in Britain
August 18, 2021 1:27 pm(Updated August 19, 2021 9:06 am)
An ex-soldier whose wife and a pregnant member of his staff were caught up in a crush trying to leave Kabul airport has expressed fury at the Prime Minister at the failure to get British nationals to safety quickly.
Former Royal Marines Commando Pen Farthing described scenes of “absolute chaos” and said they were left “distraught, upset and frightened” when caught up in a stampede after American soldiers fired warning shots.
“We can never forgive this poorly planned, hasty exit,” he said in a furious denunciation of the British authorities’ efforts to get people out.
The 52-year-old, who has run an animal shelter in Kabul since 2007, has hit the headlines for vowing to remin in Afghanistan until he has evacuated his employees and the hundreds of cats and dogs his charity is caring for.
He has urged Boris Johnson to “get your s**t together” as MPs today have gathered to debate the crisis in country since its takeover by the Taliban.
...
Speaking to the i from his base in Kabul, Mr Farthing, who served in Helmand, revealed his fears for his 25 Afghan staff he hopes the UK will take in. If they cannot be evacuated, he fears their young daughters face being captured by extremists and used as sex slaves.
If his animals – which include 140 dogs, 60 cats, 12 donkeys, two horses, a goat and a cow – cannot be evacuated, they would face a struggle for survival on the streets of Kabul.
He also fears he will not have room to take all of the 140 dogs in his care and will be forced to put more than half of them down.
“There are 71 people including their families who are desperate and need to get out of here,” he said. “I’ve just heard Boris on the news say it will be looked into but he hasn’t committed to adding us on to his list.
...
“You have not got a grip on this, your military does not have a grip of this.
“Boris Johnson and his government and the Americans, and that absolute snake Joe Biden, you are responsible for this, absolutely responsible. Saying you have no regrets about withdrawal? You have totally f**ked this up.”
Mr Farthing has rehomed more than 1,700 animals via his charity Nowzad in the Afghan capital. Celebrities including comedian Ricky Gervais and actor Peter Egan have pledged their support for the rescue mission.
To donate, you can email donations @nowzad.com or visit here.
Ex-Marine trapped in Kabul urges Boris Johnson ‘get your s**t together’ after wife trapped in airport crush
Pen Farthing, who served in Helmand, is desperate to get 71 people – his staff and their families – along with over 200 of his rescue charity’s animals to safety in Britain
August 18, 2021 1:27 pm(Updated August 19, 2021 9:06 am)
An ex-soldier whose wife and a pregnant member of his staff were caught up in a crush trying to leave Kabul airport has expressed fury at the Prime Minister at the failure to get British nationals to safety quickly.
Former Royal Marines Commando Pen Farthing described scenes of “absolute chaos” and said they were left “distraught, upset and frightened” when caught up in a stampede after American soldiers fired warning shots.
“We can never forgive this poorly planned, hasty exit,” he said in a furious denunciation of the British authorities’ efforts to get people out.
The 52-year-old, who has run an animal shelter in Kabul since 2007, has hit the headlines for vowing to remin in Afghanistan until he has evacuated his employees and the hundreds of cats and dogs his charity is caring for.
He has urged Boris Johnson to “get your s**t together” as MPs today have gathered to debate the crisis in country since its takeover by the Taliban.
...
Speaking to the i from his base in Kabul, Mr Farthing, who served in Helmand, revealed his fears for his 25 Afghan staff he hopes the UK will take in. If they cannot be evacuated, he fears their young daughters face being captured by extremists and used as sex slaves.
If his animals – which include 140 dogs, 60 cats, 12 donkeys, two horses, a goat and a cow – cannot be evacuated, they would face a struggle for survival on the streets of Kabul.
He also fears he will not have room to take all of the 140 dogs in his care and will be forced to put more than half of them down.
“There are 71 people including their families who are desperate and need to get out of here,” he said. “I’ve just heard Boris on the news say it will be looked into but he hasn’t committed to adding us on to his list.
...
“You have not got a grip on this, your military does not have a grip of this.
“Boris Johnson and his government and the Americans, and that absolute snake Joe Biden, you are responsible for this, absolutely responsible. Saying you have no regrets about withdrawal? You have totally f**ked this up.”
Mr Farthing has rehomed more than 1,700 animals via his charity Nowzad in the Afghan capital. Celebrities including comedian Ricky Gervais and actor Peter Egan have pledged their support for the rescue mission.
To donate, you can email donations @nowzad.com or visit here.
Last edited: