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The whistleblower on Afghanistan

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

A former senior desk officer at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was a whistleblower on our actions during the Afghanistan evacuation.

Some of his key claims, as reported by the BBC:

Only 5% of the 150,000 people who requested our help received any.

Nobody in the team dealing with requests had studied, had any detailed knowledge of Afghanistan, or had ever worked there.

No one spoke any Afghan languages, with calls to people asking for help conducted in English.

Decisions about who to rescue were arbitrary, and thousands of emails pleading for assistance were not even read.

The IT system was dysfunctional, with eight soldiers drafted in to help left sharing one computer.

Raab was slow to make decisions on difficult cases and did not fully understand the situation.

Animals from the Nowzad charity run by a former Marine were not in danger and evacuating them was at the direct expense of people at risk of death.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Seems chaotic as hell. But I guess Raab was v busy on that sun lounger, to be fair.

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By *ony 2016Man
over a year ago

Huddersfield /derby cinemas

Why will nobody say what day Raab went on holiday ?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Seems chaotic as hell. But I guess Raab was v busy on that sun lounger, to be fair."

Yep it's not easy to drink cocktails on sun loungers

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich

Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

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By *ired_upMan
over a year ago

ashton

I think we are all being unfair on Raab. He said the sea was closed!

This meant he could get on with the job!!!

It would be hilarious if it wasn't so tragic. There were two nights where no one was maning the computers at all.

They drafted in the army...8 people who all had to share the same computer. That's a good ratio for a gang bang but not for removing people who have now been murdered by the Taliban.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban. "

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok..."

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpful

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpful"

Exactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

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By *or Fox SakeCouple
over a year ago

Thornaby


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

"

How about the minister showing a bit of leadership

"Team this is serious, I want maximum effort. I'm with you all the way, I've cancelled my all you can eat buffet and I'll forgo the second bottle of wine"

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

How about the minister showing a bit of leadership

"Team this is serious, I want maximum effort. I'm with you all the way, I've cancelled my all you can eat buffet and I'll forgo the second bottle of wine""

Steady on. You can't take away a chap's holiday and his booze just because a humanitarian crisis is happening that he's supposed to be helping with.

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By *or Fox SakeCouple
over a year ago

Thornaby


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

How about the minister showing a bit of leadership

"Team this is serious, I want maximum effort. I'm with you all the way, I've cancelled my all you can eat buffet and I'll forgo the second bottle of wine"

Steady on. You can't take away a chap's holiday and his booze just because a humanitarian crisis is happening that he's supposed to be helping with."

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By *ony 2016Man
over a year ago

Huddersfield /derby cinemas


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

How about the minister showing a bit of leadership

"Team this is serious, I want maximum effort. I'm with you all the way, I've cancelled my all you can eat buffet and I'll forgo the second bottle of wine"

Steady on. You can't take away a chap's holiday and his booze just because a humanitarian crisis is happening that he's supposed to be helping with.

"

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

"

It's incredible. Truly shocking that sort of thing was going on, certainly an inquiry to ensure this never happens again

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By *ostafunMan
over a year ago

near ipswich


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

It's incredible. Truly shocking that sort of thing was going on, certainly an inquiry to ensure this never happens again "

Exactly my thoughts but i guess you cannot force people to work overtime or weekends these days.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

It's incredible. Truly shocking that sort of thing was going on, certainly an inquiry to ensure this never happens again Exactly my thoughts but i guess you cannot force people to work overtime or weekends these days."

I guess you can't force people called Raab to work at all...

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Newsnight has heard from a 2nd witness, a current foreign office civil servant, who said the gov's handling of the evacuation of Afghanistan was "unforgivable".

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By *ercuryMan
over a year ago

Grantham


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

It's incredible. Truly shocking that sort of thing was going on, certainly an inquiry to ensure this never happens again Exactly my thoughts but i guess you cannot force people to work overtime or weekends these days."

The Foreign Office is a global 24/7 operation. People shouldn't be employed there, if they are not willing to be flexible and go the extra mile, should a crisis hit.

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By *or Fox SakeCouple
over a year ago

Thornaby


"Not really a whistleblower as the media make out. I think everyone knows it was a chaotic situation and that a lot of people they could not get out were going to be hunted by the Taliban.

Guy who blows whistle isn't whistleblower. Um... ok...

Well it was incredibly obvious that a gigantic fuck up, the biggest in decades was in progress and Raab was on Holiday and stayed there., but a whistle blower on the inside to describe what the fuck was going on was helpfulExactly i totally agree Raphael Marshall says foreign office officials stuck to a eight-hour shift culture

Colleagues also refused to work weekends 'despite the urgency' of the situation.

You would think these people would have a bit more urgency when it was obvious people would die.The armed services put their lives on the line and worked all hours while these civil servants just carried on as normal i think there should be an enquiry and some heads should roll minus their big pensions.

It's incredible. Truly shocking that sort of thing was going on, certainly an inquiry to ensure this never happens again Exactly my thoughts but i guess you cannot force people to work overtime or weekends these days.

The Foreign Office is a global 24/7 operation. People shouldn't be employed there, if they are not willing to be flexible and go the extra mile, should a crisis hit. "

Does that include the minister responsible?

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

I know a lot of people in the FCO who thought Raab was the worst “minister” they have had.. and they had boris Johnson!!!

I think why this shows up is that it sounds like everyone in higher up management was all on holiday at the same time which was inexcusable

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I know a lot of people in the FCO who thought Raab was the worst “minister” they have had.. and they had boris Johnson!!!

I think why this shows up is that it sounds like everyone in higher up management was all on holiday at the same time which was inexcusable "

Not just going on holiday simultaneously but staying on holiday too when a crisis of this magnitude was unfolding. Smells like they were keeping out the way to avoid resposibility.

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By *amish SMan
over a year ago

Eastleigh

Astounding, the withdrawal was pretty successful. Could you imagine the death and carnage a withdrawal under constant attack would have looked like, no citizens evacuated and heavy death toll of UK armed forces. Clearly the whistle-blower has no idea, just sums up these young civil servants. No matter who was doing what, you don't want to fighting your way out when surrounded on all sides.

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead


"Astounding, the withdrawal was pretty successful. Could you imagine the death and carnage a withdrawal under constant attack would have looked like, no citizens evacuated and heavy death toll of UK armed forces. Clearly the whistle-blower has no idea, just sums up these young civil servants. No matter who was doing what, you don't want to fighting your way out when surrounded on all sides. "

Did you watch the same foreign affair committee hearing as the rest of us did?

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