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Caerphilly MP Wayne David has paid tribute to the British soldiers who lost their lives during the war in Afghanistan.

It comes after the Taliban seized power in the country, following 20 years of war.

Speaking in an emergency House of Commons debate on Wednesday, August 8, Mr David paid tribute to fallen British soldiers, including Sergeant Major Michael Williams, from Bedwas, who was killed in a firefight with the Taliban in 2008.

In his speech, Mr David, who serves as Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “There is, I believe, a widespread consensus emerging in the House [of Commons] that it was a huge mistake to leave Afghanistan in the way we did and in the time we did.

“The question now is what did our Prime Minister say to President Biden to try to dissuade him from this catastrophic course? The House deserves a clear answer to that fundamental question.”

He said there was a danger Afghanistan could “once again become a safe haven for international terrorists we have seen in action in the past”.

He added: “Let us not forget that one of the first actions of the Taliban was to release thousands of prisoners, many of whom were terrorists. Once a terrorist, it is quite possible that someone will be a terrorist again.

“The Taliban leaders say they have changed their colours, but I have to say that is unlikely. Certainly their public relations have improved, but I doubt fundamentally whether they have changed.”

Mr David also called for British citizens, as well as Afghans who have helped Britain, to be evacuated from the airport in the capital Kabul “as quickly as possible”, and said vulnerable Afghan people should be offered sanctuary – saying it is “our responsibility as a nation” to be “generous in our support”.

He urged the UK Government to “re-examine the cuts to our aid budget to give maximum support”.

Meanwhile, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Jamie Pritchard said the council was working with the Welsh Government and the Home Office to support refugees fleeing Afghanistan.

First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: “We want Wales to be a Nation of Sanctuary and we’ll do everything we can to support evacuations from Afghanistan.

“We’re working with the Home Office and councils on preparations to support those who need it.”