Courage: Interpreter Ricky
Britain’s longest-serving Afghan military interpreter has been refused sanctuary in the UK despite two senior Army officers warning his life is at risk.
The 34-year-old translator, known as Ricky, worked for the military in Afghanistan for 16 years, during which it was said he showed ‘unfailing loyalty’.
Brigadier Gerhard Wheeler CBE, one of the most senior officers in the country at the time, said that Ricky ‘risked his life on numerous occasions’ to help UK troops and he and his family were ‘more than deserving of a chance of a life in the UK’.
A second senior officer, who is now a major general, added that Ricky had made a ‘direct and significant contribution to the success of the United Kingdom’s mission in Kabul’.
But when the interpreter was made redundant in November, the Ministry of Defence refused to allow him to come to the UK because he had not served on the front line in Helmand province.
Under a Government ‘relocation scheme’, interpreters have to have served in Helmand to qualify for sanctuary in Britain, because defence officials say that was where they faced the greatest danger and risked the most.
Ricky, however, had served on patrols in and around the capital Kabul – a city deemed so dangerous that troops stationed there drive around in armoured vehicles.
The Daily Mail’s Betrayal Of The Brave campaign has highlighted a string of scandals in which interpreters who risked their lives for UK troops have been abandoned in Afghanistan.
The Daily Mail’s Betrayal Of The Brave campaign has highlighted a string of scandals in which interpreters who risked their lives for UK troops have been abandoned in Afghanistan
Three ex-heads of the military, former heads of the Army, Navy, RAF, decorated war heroes, Cabinet minister Liam Fox and MPs who served in the military have backed the campaign.
On top of this, 178,000 people have signed a petition to allow loyal interpreters to the UK – but still the Government has refused to amend its policy.
Speaking from Kabul, Ricky said: ‘In the eyes of many Afghans I have been the chief spy and the voice of the infidel because of my work. The punishment for that is death, and we live in fear. Many people know where we live and Kabul is not safe for us. I took many risks to help the British and I would ask the UK Government to show compassion.’
Ricky was one of the first interpreters hired to work for the British in 2002. The father of four’s early work included being the ‘eyes and ears’ of patrols and he came close to being blown up. He also manned checkpoints, questioned suspected extremists, took part in raids on bomb factories and targeted operations against Islamist forces.
During his 16 years of service as ‘chief interpreter’, Ricky was chosen by military commanders to work with UK ministers, Afghan politicians, tribal leaders, mullahs and Taliban prisoners.
Brigadier Wheeler, a former British commander of the Kabul Security Force, said because of the role Ricky carried out his family had been placed in a ‘dangerous position’. He added that allowing Ricky and his immediate family to move to Britain would be the ‘first step in repaying his loyal and brave service’.
Last night, two Tory MPs reacted with fury at the latest scandal uncovered by the Mail’s campaign.
Dr Julian Lewis, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, said: ‘This gentleman has proved his loyalty and his potential worth to our society.’
Dr Lewis, who is conducting an inquiry into the Government’s policy on Afghan interpreters, added: ‘Why is it that the good guys are the ones who get turned down? A little common sense and sound judgment needs to be applied to this deserving case.’
Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the foreign affairs select committee and a former Army officer, added: ‘This case must be looked at again. It is clear that he was a key and trusted member of our deployment in Afghanistan and will have been well known.’
Under current rules, hundreds of interpreters are not allowed into the UK because they left British service before December 2012.
Instead of a relocation package, Ricky was offered a one-off payment of ten months’ salary or a paid education package.
Ricky added: ‘We faced danger at all times… especially when we were off duty because we are known as traitors and spies to local community members who used to see us every day carrying out our duties.’
Ricky claimed his life and that of his family are at risk from the Taliban, Islamic State and more than two dozen other Islamist groups in the Afghan capital.
Last night, a Government spokesman said: ‘More than 390 former Afghan staff and their families have been relocated to the UK and we expect to relocate over 40 more.’
The spokesman added: ‘We have expert teams in both the UK and in Kabul who ensure that former Afghan staff who feel threatened are properly supported.’