Summary

  • MPs have been debating the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan during an emergency sitting of Parliament

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK will honour its "enduring commitment to Afghan people"

  • Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the PM of "staggering complacency" and "betraying" the Afghan people

  • The prime minister also faced criticism from Conservative MPs - former PM Theresa May said it was "incomprehensible" that the UK was not doing more

  • Veteran MPs who served in Afghanistan criticised the west for failing the Afghan people after decades of conflict

  • The government has outlined plans for up to 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan to be resettled in the UK

  • Under the scheme, up to 5,000 will come in the first year, with the priority for the most vulnerable under the country's new Taliban rulers

  • Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter has told the BBC that British forces are "collaborating with the Taliban on the ground"

  • Gen Sir Nick said the UK hoped to extract 1000 people today and 7 planes were being sent to Kabul

  • There will be a special Afghanistan episode of Question Time on BBC One at 19:00

Live Reporting

Edited by Johanna Howitt and Marie Jackson and James Clarke

  1. What's happening in Afghanistan?

    Taliban militantsEPA

    Taliban political leaders have returned to Afghanistan, with most having been in exile in Qatar, after the militants took control of the capital Kabul.

    During a press conference on Tuesday the Taliban said Afghanistan would not be used as a base for terror and the rights of women in Afghanistan would be respected "within the framework of Islamic law".

    There are concerns from rights groups that women’s freedoms could be eroded under the Taliban, which introduced or supported punishments in line with their strict interpretation of Islam's legal system, Sharia law, when they controlled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001.

    The militants have declared a general amnesty across Afghanistan.

    Western countries have been evacuating embassy staff, citizens and former Afghan employees from the country as the Taliban swept into power. It follows the withdrawal of US and allied troops.

    You can follow live coverage of the situation in Afghanistan here.

  2. What's the latest?

    Afghan women and childrenGetty Images

    The UK government says it will resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees over the coming years, with 5,000 refugees eligible in the first year. Women, girls and others in need will have priority.

    But opposition parties say this does not go far enough.

    Parliament has been recalled and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to open a debate in the House of Commons about the situation from 09:30 BST.

  3. Good morning and welcome

    Hello and welcome to our coverage as the UK parliament is recalled to debate what to do about the situation in Afghanistan, after the Taliban seized control of the country.

    We will be bringing you updates throughout the day.