UK should leave Afghanistan

A former Labour minister has called for the "great majority" of British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan. Kim Howells, chairman of the intelligence and security committee, said the money should be diverted to securing Britain from terrorist attack.

An MoD spokesman said it was "vital to the UK that Afghanistan becomes a stable and secure state that is able to suppress violent extremism within its borders".

"Britain's own security is at risk if we again allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists," he added.

The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 224, this year, the UK deployment rose from 8,000 to just over 9,000 - the second largest contribution to the International Security Assistance Forces in the country. It is time to ask whether the fight against those who are intent on murdering British citizens might better be served by diverting [the cost of maintaining British forces in Afghanistan] to the work of the UK Border Agency and our police and intelligence services, Mr. Howells said at an interview.

A properly planned, phased withdrawal of troops from Helmand province - where the majority of UK forces are based - was necessary said the minister.