Afghan interpreter for British army denied right to move to UK

The British army’s longest-serving Afghan interpreter has been denied the right to relocate to the UK, provoking outrage among senior military officials.

The 34-year-old interpreter, known as Ricky, worked for the British military in Afghanistan for 16 years and is described by senior British officers in reports as having shown “unfailing loyalty”.

But, among other conditions, the Ministry of Defence relocation policy states that applicants must have served in a role in Helmand province. Despite Ricky reportedly risking his life on “numerous occasions” he does not qualify because he worked in the capital, Kabul.

The decision has been condemned by military officials including David Richards, the former chief of the defence staff, the professional head of the British armed forces.

Lord Richards told the Daily Mail: “What does this say of our lack of generosity of spirit and sense of right and wrong? I am ashamed of this decision and of those who took it.”

Ricky is understood to have interpreted for Richards.

Lord Ashdown, a former captain in the Special Boat Service and former leader of the Liberal Democrats, told the Times: “The policy is inhuman, shameful, dangerous for them and degrading for us.”

Ricky was reportedly made redundant last November and was offered a single payment of 10 months’ salary or an education package.

Julian Lewis, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, and Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, want his case to be reviewed.