Operation Ark returns to haunt Boris
Spectator (UK)Sep 14, 2022
Boris Johnson Prioritized Animal Evacuation from Afghanistan, Claims Whistleblower
Image copyright: NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock [via The Guardian]
The Facts
A second whistleblower has claimed Boris Johnson prioritized the evacuation of an animal charity named 'Nowzad' from Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover last summer, stating it was "widespread knowledge". The PM has openly denied these accusations in the past.
Josie Steward, head of illicit finance in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has also said two government officials may have intentionally lied to parliament over the matter.
The Spin
Left narrative
The evacuation of Afghanistan was shamefully managed and politicians are more focused on reputational risk and political fallout than evaluating their failings and the consequent human tragedy. The PM is a serial liar unfit for his role.
Right narrative
Rumours about the PM's direct involvement and approval proliferated during what was a chaotic and stressful period at the Foreign Office. Assumptions were made based on the many voices in media at the time of the evacuation, with some mistakenly ascribing decisions made in central government to Johnson himself.
Establishment-critical narrative
Senior officials in British politics are dodging select committee questions to avoid calling the PM a liar. Current investigations are reaching further than issues of the evacuation of Afghanistan into systemic accountability challenges within the Westminster political system.