Interpreters in legal threat

THREE Afghan nationals who risked their lives working for UK forces in Afghanistan are threatening to sue the government unless they are given the same rights to settle here as interpreters who worked in Iraq.

Lawyers for the men, two of whom are already in the UK, are asking for the “targeted assisted scheme” which operates in Iraq to be extended to Afghanistan. The scheme allows qualifying staff the right to resettle in the UK or to a one-off payment.

Mohammed Rafi Hotak, 26, received death threats and was attacked on several occasions before fleeing to the UK where he was recently granted asylum.

His brother Abdul Latif is still in Afghanistan where he fears for his life, Mr Hotak’s lawyers said. A third man, Ahmadullah Pashtoon, whose father was murdered, is in the UK awaiting a ruling on his asylum claim.