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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/19/afghan-interpreter-british-denied-right-move-uk
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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Afghan interpreter for British army denied right to move to UK | Afghan interpreter for British army denied right to move to UK |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Military officials express outrage at decision on ‘Ricky’, who worked for army for 16 years | Military officials express outrage at decision on ‘Ricky’, who worked for army for 16 years |
| Jamie Grierson | Jamie Grierson |
| Fri 19 Jan 2018 08.49 GMT | Fri 19 Jan 2018 08.49 GMT |
| Last modified on Fri 19 Jan 2018 09.16 GMT | |
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| 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 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”. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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. | 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.” | 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. | 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. | Julian Lewis, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, and Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, want his case to be reviewed. |
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