BORIS Johnson and Dominic Raab have come under fire for making an error over the Afghanistan crisis.
The Prime Minister pledged to “shift heaven and earth” to allow those who wished to leave the country to do so after the August 31 withdrawal deadline set by the Americans.
But in the current operation the Baron Hotel facility, which was being used to process those leaving the country by British officials, has now closed.
The MoD said this would allow a focus on evacuating the British nationals and others who have already been processed and are at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
But the department said “the UK’s ability to process further cases is now extremely reduced and additional numbers will be limited”, and no-one else would now be called forward.
READ MORE: Tory claims of 'technical glitch' on Afghanistan helpline don't cut it
In a Newsnight clip, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary were shown visiting a crisis centre set up to tackle the issue.
Johnson asks a civil servant: "Are you the guys inundated with all the emails from everywhere in the world saying, please help my son, mother in Afghanistan? I've had a few of those."
Raab adds: "It was extraordinary that they all stayed after the Kabul Airport attack."
Johnson says: "Amazing, amazing" but the civil servant corrected him saying: "I think there are still a few people who are trying to get in but a lot of them have dispersed or gone back home because of our advice to them."
The clip was condemned by social media users, with many saying Johnson's government is incompetent.
Jessica Simor said: "Yet again we are shown what we know: no empathy, no judgement, no grace. Staggering idiocy."
Ian Dunt said: "Take a good hard look. It's all so terribly funny, electing lazy half-witted shyster clowns to government. And then there's a crisis and you're left with this."
Elizabeth Mitchell added: "Johnson and Raab auditioning for remake of the office. Johnson edges Raab for part of David Brent. This is actually shocking – not an ounce of empathy or leadership on display. Does anyone still think this lot should be in charge?"
And Rob Bingham said: "That film of Johnson and Raab behaving like minor royals on a visit to the Foreign Office Crisis Centre. These people are even worse than you think they are."
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