COLCHESTER'S MP has said he is proud of town's troops for their involvement in evacuating British and Afghan nationals out of the country safely.
Will Quince issued a statement on Facebook saying he had been following the "alarming" situation in the Middle East country closely and wanted to reassure residents the Government had taken immediate action to get people to Britain.
He said: "I have always felt privileged to represent a garrison town in Parliament, and it was a proud moment to learn that Paratroopers from our own 16 Air Assault Brigade were part of the 900 troops and civilian personnel dispatched to Afghanistan in recent days to carry out this mission.
"Over the weekend, we flew out more than 180 UK Nationals and their dependents from Afghanistan, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have assured me that these flights are continuing.
"I was also pleased to learn families of Afghan interpreters have been put into accommodation by Colchester Council over the weekend, and this will be happening around the country."
He added the harrowing scenes had led to the creation of the new Afghanistan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme, describing it as the "most generous resettlement schemes in our country's history".
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He said: "Having spoken with Ministers, they understand that many Afghans are desperate to leave the country, and it is harrowing to view the scenes in the news and on social media of Afghans at Kabul Airport.
"This is why the Home Office has worked at-pace to establish a new Afghanistan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme to resettle thousands of Afghans, prioritising women and children, under one of the most generous resettlement schemes in our country's history.
"I know this is a situation that nobody would have wanted to see.
"I want to put on record my admiration for our troops and civilian personnel currently out in Afghanistan helping to return UK Nationals and Afghan staff to safety, and the UK Government remains committed to working with our allies to support the Afghan people in the years to come."
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