Pictured: 'Gorgeous' girl, two, killed in caravan fire - Daily Mail

Pictured: 'Gorgeous' girl, two, killed in caravan fire that almost claimed her mother and three siblings as well as police say cause of blaze is still unexplained

• Louisiana-Brook Broadley died at Sealands Caravan Park Ingoldmells on Monday
• Her mother and three other children made it out safely but toddler lost her life
• 50 people from caravans were evacuated and had to stay in emergency quarters

By Tom Pyman For Mailonline

Published: 12:41 BST, 25 August 2021 | Updated: 15:11 BST, 25 August 2021

Tributes have been paid to a 'gorgeous' two-year-old girl killed in a horror fire at a caravan she was staying at with her mother and three siblings.

Police are continuing to investigate the 'unexplained' cause of the blaze, which killed little Louisiana-Brook Broadley at Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, on Monday night.

Her mother, Natasha Broadley, and three of the tragic toddler's siblings managed to escape the holiday home as it went up in flames.

The youngster's heartbroken grandmother Donna Broadley posted a series of snaps of the youngster, taken on what turned out to be the last day of her life as she enjoyed her time at the holiday park.

In an emotional Facebook post, she said: 'Our hearts are broken as 'wee wee' was our baby of our family.

'Tash gave her everything, she was her right leg. Our hearts are broken.

'We as a family will be here for Tash and my grandchildren.'  

Tragic Louisiana-Brook Broadley died following the horror at Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, near Skegness on Monday night, while mother Natasha and the other children managed to escape

Tributes have now flooded in for the toddler, who was originally from Newark, Nottinghamshire

Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze, which killed the toddler (pictured) earlier this week

The youngster's heartbroken grandmother Donna Broadley posted a series of snaps of the youngster, taken on what turned out to be the last day of her life as she enjoyed her time at the holiday park

In an emotional Facebook post, relatives paid tribute to the toddler, who was known as 'wee wee'

Louisiana-Brook enjoys herself at the holiday park, just hours before her tragic death

A GoFundMe page has been launched to help Natasha - from Newark, Nottinghamshire, and known as Tash - and her family following the tragedy.

Her friend Laurie Selfridge, who started the fundraiser, said: 'Louisiana-Brook was the most beautiful amazing little girl. She was a sweet angel.

'Natasha adored all her children but she was like Natasha's shadow.

'Their worlds have been torn apart in pure tragedy.

'It's soul destroying, we all love Tasha and her children. We're a tight community in Newark.

'It's totally knocked all of us, but the love being shown is unreal.'

Lincolnshire Police, which was called to the blaze at 10.30pm on Monday night, said officers remained on the site today along with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service and forensic specialists, and the investigation is expected to take 'some time'.

The three siblings, all under the age of 11, and their mother, who is in her 30s, all received medical attention in hospital but were later released.

Officers are trying to establish the cause of the fire, and said they are currently treating the toddler's death as unexplained.

Police said specialist officers are supporting the family following the incident.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Jo Fortune said: 'Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of those involved in this tragic incident and I send our condolences.

'We will do everything we can to establish what has happened.

'I would like to pass on my personal thanks to everyone who helped on the evening and has supported the family too. It was a very serious and frightening time.' 

The base of the caravan remained intact but the roof and walls were destroyed as charred debris was scattered around the area. 

Around 50 people from nearby caravans were evacuated and had to stay in emergency accommodation at the Laver Leisure site.

A woman and three of her children made it out safely but her fourth - the little girl - lost her life

The child passed away at Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, near Skegness, following the blaze at 10.30pm

The mother and three children received medical attention at hospital and have since been discharged

Leigh Sleafer, whose caravan was a few down from the fire, said the deadly blaze had left her seven-year-old autistic son being sick and traumatised her other children.

She told MailOnline: 'I'm not really sure what happened as I was in the shower and had just settled my children down.

'My friend was outside, we saw what I thought was a heavy cloud of smoke and thought I heard kids shouting.'

She continued: 'Next thing I knew was my friend came in saying there was a caravan on fire.

'One of my children is autistic and was so distraught he was being sick so I had to get them all away from the fire and took them down the road to work out what we was going to do. We are now at home safe but very traumatised from it all.'

She added: 'I'm heartbroken for the family and for all that saw this… so tragic. Sleep tight little angel.'

Around 50 people from nearby caravans were evacuated and had to stay in emergency accommodation at the Laver Leisure site

Ms Sleafer said she left the caravan site in the middle of the night with her children and drove them three hours home to Bedfordshire to 'feel safe with their dad'.

Another witness said: 'It was heartbreaking to see, someone ran to me asking me for my fire extinguisher because there were two little ones in van.

'I tried to tell her my little extinguisher wouldn't help.' Another woman said on Facebook: 'My sister was in the van next door but was out at the time.

'She was just walking back to the van when it happened but by sounds it was very very bad. It exploded. That poor women and her five kids.'

And another added: 'So sad, we're staying on this site and didn't know anything about it until just now when we tried to walk out of the site and it was all blocked off.'

One holidaymaker, who was also staying in a caravan close to the fire, said: 'It was scary how quickly it went up.'

Shaun Walker, 54, was on an adjoining caravan site, just yards from the scene, when he became aware of the blaze.

He said: 'Our caravan site sits right next door and all of a sudden I smelt the smoke. I went outside and saw the caravan on fire. The flames were really high and crisping.

'People were running around in panic, I just thought to myself 'I hope dear God that no one is inside, and that all the adults and children got out.'

One holidaymaker, who was also staying in a caravan close to the fire, said: 'It was scary how quickly it went up'

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Jo Fortune said: 'This is a devasting incident for all involved'

'I tried to climb the perimeter fence of our caravan site to go and help. I wanted to go and help, but the fence was just too high and has spikes on the top.

'The firemen arrived and were damping it down, so I went back to my caravan. My neighbour rang 999 and they told us all to get outside in case our gas canisters exploded. It was just awful.'

The Sealands site is owned by Laver Leisure who also own a number of other sites which in total house almost 2,000 caravans in the Skegness and Ingoldmells area.

Crime Scene Investigation staff wearing protective white boiler suits were at the scene today. The area around the caravan was sealed off with yellow and black tape.

Councillor for Skegness North Carl Macey said: 'I feel sorry for those lives that this news is going to touch in such a detrimental way.

'My thoughts are with the family that will now be left with this devastating news.

'I wish the family the very best of luck going forward, as I'm sure they'll need help and guidence with grieving because it is such a horrendous situation.'

He added: 'You wouldn't wish this upon anybody.'

Chief Superintendent Kieran English said the cause of the fire remained 'unexplained'.

He said: 'At this point of time it is unexplained, but hopefully as the day progresses we may have some indication in terms of the causation of the fire.'

Mr English added: 'I've got children. This is absolutely tragic. My thoughts and my prayers go to the family and their friends at this really sad time.'

He urged any witnesses to the blaze to contact his officers.

Mr English said: 'We've a long way to go before we can ascertain the facts in this tragic incident.

'But Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue are determined to find answers for the family.' 

Police said an investigation team would be at the scene throughout the day, carrying out the initial stages of the inquiry

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue added: 'Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue were called to a static caravan on fire in Ingoldmells last night'

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Jo Fortune said: 'This is a devasting incident for all involved.

'We are in the very early stages of our investigations and the circumstances which led to the fire are not yet clear. We will be working closely with specialist teams to understand what happened.

'We would like to appeal to anyone who was there last night and has not yet spoken to police to come forward, and for anyone with video footage to please share that with officers to add to our intelligence of the incident.

'This is particularly harrowing, with a family losing a child, and we'd ask that people remember those victims and not share footage online.'

Police said an investigation team would be at the scene throughout the day, carrying out the initial stages of the inquiry.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue added: 'Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue were called to a static caravan on fire in Ingoldmells last night.

'On arrival our five attending crews found that the fire was already well-established and aggressive firefighting was needed to extinguish it.

'A family had been in the caravan when the fire broke out and whilst the mother was able to escape with three of her children, unfortunately her youngest daughter, aged 2, has sadly lost her life.

Matt King, Divisional Commander for East Division at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: 'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family at this time.

'Our Fire Investigation Team will be working with CSI colleagues from Lincolnshire Police to complete a full investigation into the cause of the fire.

'All firefighters have been offered welfare support, and once investigations are complete, local fire crews and our community fire safety team will be on hand to talk to people in the area and address any fire safety concerns, at what will be an upsetting time.'

A spokesman for Sealands Caravan Park said: 'We are deeply saddened by what has happened and we will be assisting police with their inquiries and helping affected families.

'We cannot make any other comment while the investigation is ongoing.' 

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2021-08-25 11:41:30Z
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Police need clearer guidance on Tasers - watchdog - BBC News

PA Media

Police forces must be given clearer guidance about when they can use Tasers to control suspects, according to the police watchdog.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has reviewed controversial cases of Taser use.

It found black people were more likely to face a Taser and some officers were not considering the risk of injury to vulnerable people.

But police chiefs say the IOPC report is vague and lacking in detail.

The National Police Chiefs Council said the IOPC report only looked at a fraction of Taser use.

• Should all frontline police officers use Tasers?
• 'Taser saved my officer's life' - police chief

The IOPC is warning that the use of Tasers risks losing its legitimacy in the eyes of the public if the concerns are not addressed.

And it said Tasers have been used in "unsafe locations or circumstances", and too often to get suspects to do what the police are asking, rather than in response to a physical threat.

The report also raises concerns about the use of Tasers on children.

In the 108 cases examined:

• 94 people had a Taser "discharged" at them
• 22% of subjects were Black, and 71% white, representing a "disproportionate" use of the device. However black people were less likely than white people to actually be Tasered, despite being more likely to face a police Taser
• Eight involved the Taser being discharged for more than 20 seconds, and for 67 seconds in one case
• Half of suspects were Tasered more than once.
• Six children were involved
• Mental health was a factor in more than half of the cases
• 14 cases involved the use of a Taser against someone in a "potentially unsafe position", including when there was a risk of them falling from height when stunned. One man fell into a river after being Tasered, and the device discharged four times while he was in the water.
• A third of cases involved officers making "inappropriate comments" or "communicating inappropriately"
• In 26 cases passed to the IOPC, potential poor practice or illegal use of Tasers was identified.
• In 15 there was a case for gross misconduct.
• 25 officers were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision about whether they should be charged with an offence.

The IOPC's director, Michael Lockwood said: "People from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds deserve a clear and transparent answer from police on why such disproportionality still exists - failure to address this risks undermining the legitimacy of policing."

Home Office data shows large increases in Taser use, and greater numbers of officers being trained to use them. The number of incidents where they have been used doubled to around 32,000 in 2019/20.

The device also featured prominently in the recent court case of police officer Benjamin Monk, who was convicted of manslaughter when he kicked to death the former footballer Dalian Atkinson. This followed an "excessive" 33-second Taser deployment.

The inquest into the death of Marc Cole also found that a Taser played a part in his death.

Mr Cole died after suffering a cardiac arrest in 2017, following use of Taser for a total of 43 seconds. He had been experiencing a mental health crisis and was self-harming during the incident.

Cole Family

Some senior police officers are increasingly advocating that all officers should carry a Taser to protect them.

The report says: "We found in some cases that officers failed to identify, and as a result failed to consider, how a person's vulnerabilities might affect their ability to understand and comply with instructions."

It also concludes: "Taser should not be used merely to elicit compliance with instructions or procedures where there is no threat, or the threat has been substantially reduced to the point where it is no longer proportionate or necessary."

Four inquests in recent years found that Tasers contributed to a person's death.

The report recommends senior police officers re-examine the types of situations where a Taser should not be used, in particular, when vulnerable people or children are involved.

The IOPC also wants police to consider how officers can further reduce the risk of using the devices, and reinforce that they should not be used to obtain compliance.

The College of Policing, which considers police policy, has been asked to examine the implications of the report with regard to race.

Another recommendation is that police create "scrutiny panels" to examine the use of Tasers, which should be independently chaired by members of the public and reflective of communities.

But the National Police Chiefs Council criticised the report. Chief Constable Luci D'Orsi said it "regrettably ignores extensive pieces of work that are already well under way and, indeed, other areas where improvement could be made".

She said she had advised the IOPC of her concerns.

She said: "I am extremely disappointed that it did not engage with policing, attend a Taser training course or consult the national independent experts who we work with whilst undertaking its initial research."

"Only 101 Taser uses over a five year period were reviewed and these were all ones that had been investigated by the IOPC. It is concerning that this only represents 0.1 per cent of all Taser uses in the same period, which totals 94,045."

What are Tasers?

The police are able to use Tasers when they are faced with serious threat of violence and they consider that the use of the Taser is "reasonable and proportionate" to the threat they face.

Tasers were first authorised for use by police in 2004. In 2007 they began to be issued to non-firearms officers.

Tasers can be used to "red dot" a suspect, by pointing a laser sight at them, "arced" to show someone the capabilities of the weapon.

They can also be used to "drive-stun" a suspect by placing the Taser against their body, but this is no longer part of police training.

When a Taser is fired a pair of probes attached to wires are ejected. The probes hit the subject and send a five second electrical discharge, incapacitating them.

The Taser stores data about when it is used and for how long, which can be examined in post-incident investigations. Tasers are discharged in around 11% of cases.

• THE DEEPER YOU GO, THE DARKER IT GETS: A tense new thriller from the producers of Line of Duty
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2021-08-25 11:14:42Z
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Claudia Lawrence: Mum in 'utter shock' at new search - BBC News

The mother of missing Claudia Lawrence has said she is in "utter shock" and "very, very churned up" about a new police search for her daughter.

A popular fishing spot, near York, is being searched by police investigating the suspected murder of Ms Lawrence.

The 35-year-old's disappearance has remained a mystery since she failed to turn up for work at the University of York in March 2009.

Joan Lawrence said "every single day is a nightmare" since Claudia disappeared.

"It's so much to take in in a short time and nothing seems to happen for a long, long time then everything came together and I haven't had time to really digest it," she said in an interview with BBC Radio York.

North Yorkshire Police

North Yorkshire Police said its latest search at Sand Hutton gravel pits, about eight miles (13km) outside York, was expected to take a number of days.

The force said it could not disclose what had led officers to the location.

• More stories from Yorkshire
• Fishing spot searched in Claudia Lawrence case
• What happened to Claudia?

Mrs Lawrence said she could "not think of any connection that Claudia would have" with the site.

PA Media

University chef Ms Lawrence was last seen at 15.05 on Wednesday 18 March walking towards her home on Heworth Road.

Later that evening she spoke to both her parents, Joan and Peter Lawrence, by phone, but the following day failed to arrive for her job at Goodricke College.

A friend who became concerned when she failed to meet at a local pub that evening contacted Ms Lawrence's father, who reported her missing on 20 March.

Peter Lawrence, died earlier this year without knowing what happened to his daughter.

PA Media

Mrs Lawrence said the search for her daughter was "very personal" as it was "about me and a daughter I haven't seen for 12 years, every single day is a nightmare".

Her staunch faith would give her "the courage and strength to get through", Mrs Lawrence said.

"It will support me no matter what has gone on, it's there, it is always there," she said.

"If you give up hope you might as well give up altogether."

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.

Around the BBC

• What happened to Claudia- - BBC News

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2021-08-25 07:01:43Z
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Afghanistan: Fresh hope for ex-Marine Pen Farthing's bid to rescue 200 dogs and cats from Kabul - Sky News

A former Royal Marine trying to evacuate 200 dogs and cats alongside his animal shelter staff out of Afghanistan has been given fresh hope by the defence secretary.

Paul Farthing, known as Pen, founded the Nowzad shelter in Kabul after serving with the British Army in Afghanistan in the mid-2000s, with the organisation rescuing dogs, cats and donkeys.

Since the collapse of the Afghan government, he has campaigned to have his staff and their families as well as 140 dogs and 60 cats evacuated from the country in a plan he has dubbed Operation Ark.

On Monday, Mr Farthing announced the UK government had granted visas for all his staff and their dependants - totalling 68 people - but the evacuation of the shelter's animals has remained a sticking point.

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'I have to prioritise people over pets'

Ben Wallace had insisted the animals would have to wait behind since the UK would prioritise the evacuation of people aboard RAF flights out of Kabul.

On Tuesday, Nowzad supporters announced a privately chartered Airbus A330 - funded by donations - was on standby to fly to Kabul to rescue the group's workers and animals.

But Mr Wallace said this was still not a "magic wand", insisting the major problem with evacuations in Kabul has been getting people safely into and through the airport.

More on Afghanistan

He said the chartered plane would merely "block the airfield" and "sit there empty" as the processing of the thousands of people trying to leave Kabul would be prioritised over the airlifting of animals.

However, in a series of tweets early on Wednesday, Mr Wallace said if Mr Farthing arrived at the airport with his staff and animals, officials would allow them to leave on the chartered aircraft.

"Now that Pen Farthing's staff have been cleared to come forward under LOTR I have authorised MOD to facilitate their processing alongside all other eligible personnel at (Kabul airport). At that stage, if he arrives with his animals we will seek a slot for his plane," Mr Wallace tweeted.

"If he does not have his animals with him he and his staff can board an RAF flight. I have been consistent all along, ensuring those most at risk are processed first and that the limiting factor has been flow THROUGH to airside NOT airplane capacity."

Image: Pen Farthing served in Afghanistan in the mid-2000s. Pic: Nowzad

Mr Farthing has previously said the animals would be transported in the aircraft's hold and that once his staff were accommodated any spare seats on the plane could be filled by other people cleared for passage by UK authorities, with the flight able to take 250 passengers in total.

"The cargo hold is empty - we put the dogs and cats in there!! And 250 people above in the cabin!" Mr Farthing tweeted.

Earlier, a Nowzad supporter in the UK, veterinary surgeon Dr Iain McGill, had said people were ready to take in the animals once brought to Britain.

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2021-08-25 06:41:34Z
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Former Marine who set up animal rescue charity in Kabul fears he will be forced to take action - Daily Mail

'I'll kill my dogs if the ban stays': Former Marine who set up animal rescue charity in Kabul fears he will be forced to put the animals down if he cannot get them out

• Pen Farthing rebuked by Mr Wallace this morning for complaining UK forces were blocking his charter flight
• But a video of the Vauxhall entering the cargo jet prompted Ricky Gervais to claim he was 'prioritising a car'
• The former Royal Marine had privately funded a commercial flight but says he now can't get it into Kabul
• Defence Secretary Ben Wallace insisted he is not prepared to 'prioritise pets over people' in the evacuation 

By Daily Mail Reporter and Rory Tingle and James Tapsfield For Mailonline

Published: 00:28 BST, 25 August 2021 | Updated: 01:57 BST, 25 August 2021

A former Royal Marine who set up an animal rescue charity in Kabul said he would be forced to put his cats and dogs down after a minister vowed to 'prioritise people over pets'.

Paul 'Pen' Farthing, 52, founder of Nowzad, said Boris Johnson had approved a charter flight he had crowdfunded to fly 69 staff and 100 animals to the UK. 

But he claimed Defence Secretary Ben Wallace blocked the flight by refusing to grant air signs needed for it to land at Kabul airport. A Ministry of Defence spokesman denied the claims.

Yesterday Mr Wallace said a charter flight would hamper rescue efforts, adding: 'I'm not prepared to prioritise pets over people.' Mr Farthing said: 'If they won't allow me on to that aircraft then I'll have to put all my dogs and cats to sleep on the runway.'

Mr Farthing was rebuked by Ben Wallace this morning for complaining UK forces were stopping his private charter plane from taking his staff and rescue dogs out of Kabul.

But a Sky News video of a Vauxhall hatchback entering a military cargo jet prompted a counter-blast from animal rights activists including the comedian Ricky Gervais and actor Peter Egan, who accused the MoD of caring more about a car than 'sentient animals'. 

But a video of the Vauxhall entering the cargo jet prompted comedian Ricky Gervais to tweet: 'Urgent: @PenFarthing is brave and kind. Such honour should be rewarded. He's still trying to save others in the face of grave danger. He shouldn't be left behind. And they rescued a f*****g car? Shame. #OperationArk'

Actor Peter Egan added: 'Can it be possible that ⁦@BWallaceMP⁩ is ok about airlifting a car but not sentient animals!!'

In response to the anger, an MOD source said today: 'The car was a civilian armoured vehicle (probably part of the UK Embassy fleet).

'Priority on all flights is given to passengers, but flights have to take off in their allocated time-slot to keep traffic moving, so on the flight featured by Sky, there were 134 people processed at the time allocated for take-off, and because that left some room, it was filled with cargo, including the car.'

Mr Gervais wrote in response to the video: '@PenFarthing is brave and kind. Such honour should be rewarded. He's still trying to save others in the face of grave danger. He shouldn't be left behind. And they rescued a f*****g car? Shame.' 

Actor Peter Egan added: 'Can it be possible that ⁦@BWallaceMP⁩ is ok about airlifting a car but not sentient animals!!' 

Mr Farthing, 52, has complained about being 'left to fend for myself' after organising the flight for his 25 Afghan staff as well as the charity's dogs and cats. He announced the UK Government granted visas for all of his staff and their dependents.

But Mr Wallace - himself a former soldier - told LBC that Mr Farthing's claim about being abandoned by the MoD was 'b******s'.

In a round of interviews, the clearly frustrated politician said that while the animal charity boss had done 'amazing' work, all the plane would achieve if it landed in Kabul was to 'block the airfield' and 'sit there empty'.

'There is a confusion, I am afraid some of the campaigners have latched on to the fact they have chartered a plane, as if this somehow is the magic wand,' he said. 

'The magic wand is whether people can get through Kabul through the Taliban checkpoints and then through the 3,000-plus people, some of whom are waiting in front of the queue because they are under real threat, direct threat right now from the Taliban.'

He added: 'I am not prepared to prioritise, for example, pets over people.' 

Mr Wallace said that Mr Farthing himself could get through the gates and his staff were entitled to refuge in the UK, but he could not 'guarantee' they would be airlifted 'in this window'.   

Paul 'Pen' Farthing, 52, said he has been 'left to fend for myself' after the MoD allegedly stopped his privately rented plane from taking off

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace insisted he will not 'prioritise pets over people' in the evacuation 

Pen Farthing is founder of the Nowzad charity which he set up after befriending a stray dog while serving in Helmand in 2006

Former Royal Marine Commando Pen Farthing has been working with his Norwegian wife Kaisa Helene (above) and their team in Kabul

Mr Farthing with dogs RPG and Jena, who were destined to die from starvation or dog fights in Afghanistan until he stepped in

Celebrities including actor Ricky Gervais and Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden, who back the Nowzad charity, today slammed the Government's attitude towards evacuating animals

An MoD spokesman said: 'We are aware of reports around vehicles being loaded onto flights leaving Afghanistan. 'Cleared passengers are always loaded as an absolute priority and any spare capacity is used for operational freight. No flight has left Kabul empty.

'In the last 24 hours, 9 flights have left with over 1800 people on board.'  

Celebrities including actor Mr Gervais and Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden, who back the Nowzad charity, today slammed the Government's attitude towards evacuating animals. 

Writing on Twitter, Gervais said: 'Dear stupid c**ts saying we shouldn't put animals before people.. 1. The animals go in the hold where people can't go. 2. This is an extra, privately funded plane that will allow MORE people to be saved. #OperationArk'.

Meaden added: 'So.. Pete Quentin (Tory candidate for Camberwell and Peckham) why on Earth would you put these lives at risk? Everything arranged and you pull it??? Are we dithering with peoples lives @PenFarthing #nowzad #operationark'. 

It's a no from Joe: US president set to reject pleas to delay Kabul withdrawal deadline 

Ministers have dismissed hopes that Joe Biden will extend the August 31 deadline for withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan as the UK, France and Germany prepare to make a last-ditch plea in G7 talks today.

Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel are expected to push the case for keeping the evacuation operation in place longer with thousands of desperate people still flocking to Kabul airport.

However, Mr Johnson and Mr Biden discussed the airlift in a call last night without making any progress, and the Taliban has warned of 'consequences' if there is an attempt to cling on.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said this morning it is 'unlikely' the deadline will be extended, after the RAF extracted another 2,000 people in the past 24 hours.

'I think it is unlikely. Not only because of what the Taliban has said but if you look at the public statements of President Biden I think it is unlikely,' Mr Wallace said.

'It is definitely worth us all trying, and we will.'

With the prospects of maintaining the military action receding, attention is turning to plans after August 31, with suggestions the Taliban could allow civilian evacuation flights to continue. 

The comments came after Mr Farthing told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'Today we still do not have anything from the MoD, in fact they cut me off. 

'I did have an emergency line that I could call if I was in trouble or needed to report something that's going on but that's been cut so I've been literally left now on my own in enemy-held territory. I just can't get my head around that.

'We've got a privately-funded plane that can take 250 passengers out, 69 of them would be me and the staff, but we've got an empty cargo hold. I don't understand the problems here, I'm not asking the MoD to give me a plane I just need to have a call sign.'

Mr Farthing claimed he had not received documents from the Home Office that would allow his staff to get past Taliban checkpoints and leave the country.  

But Mr Wallace told Sky News: 'He could get through the gates as a British passport holder. He was called forward on Friday and I recommend he takes that.

'His workforce have been offered, as entitled personnel, places and they will be able to be called forward, but I can't guarantee in this window they will be processed onto aircraft, all I can say is they qualify.'

He added on LBC radio: 'I have some really desperate people in that queue who are really under threat of life and death, and if we don't get them out their future is very, very bleak. 

'I simply have to prioritise those people over pets, very important. It doesn't mean we don't care about animals, we're all an animal loving nation.' 

Mr Farthing previously managed to get his 30-year-old wife Kaisa out of the country and shared a shocking image appearing to show her on a near-empty evacuation flight. 

In an interview with Sky News, he said: 'I can't get into the airport because the MoD won't talk to me. That is beyond the pale, somebody somewhere is playing with people's lives.'

Mr Farthing goes on to describe the emotional rollercoaster he and his staff were forced to go through today. 

He said: 'You've not idea of the elation in our office this morning when our staff knew [they could come to the UK].'

He previously managed to get his 30-year-old wife Kaisa out of the country and shared a shocking image appearing to show her on a near-empty evacuation flight (pictured)

Outraged social media users have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations at the Government's alleged actions

But the joy his staff felt soon turned to despair after Mr Farthing said the Ministry of Defence refused to let his privately funded commercial plane land in the Kabul military airfield.  

He said: 'It's a privately funded aircraft, I only want to take out 69 people and the cargo hold is empty so we're going to put dogs and cats into it.

'No taxpayer money will go into this. We've got 130 spare seats on that aircraft we can fill with people entitled to come to Britain.'

He went on to claim the reason his flight had been blocked is that the Ministry of Defence doesn't want people to see animals getting on a flight. 

While holding back tears he added: 'I am behind enemy lines now, the Taliban are here. I cannot get into the airport because the MOD won't talk to me. They're playing with people's lives.

'I wasn't frightened because I knew I had this lifeline but that's just been cut off. I am now on my own here.

An RAF plane was filled to capacity with embassy staff, British nationals and any Afghans able to settle in the UK

Evacuations have been underway in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country on August 13 after American troops were pulled from the country

'The very people that I was part of have cut me off. You have no idea of the emotion that's going through me right now.' 

Outraged social media users have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations at the Government's alleged actions. 

One wrote: 'Dear British Government, the eyes of the world are watching, not just those of the UK. It is absolutely essential this life saving flight goes ahead without delay and with all onboard (including animals). I would urge you to ensure everything is in place without delay.'

Thousands of Afghans could be left behind in Kabul as ministers push to extend the deadline for the last British evacuation flight beyond Tuesday. Pictured: British citizens catching a flight earlier this week

Taliban fighters stand guard on their side at a border crossing point between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in Torkham, in Khyber district, Pakistan

The former Royal Marine Commando runs an animal rights charity in Afghanistan and is now trying to evacuate dogs and cats

Mr Farthing said staff at the charity were working on plans to evacuate 100 cats and 100 dogs on a £200,000 charter plane

While another said: 'Furious and feel sick. How can people be so evil!!! Boris Johnson GET THIS SORTED! I can't believe we were all praising you this morning, we thought you were doing the right thing!!!!'

And another wrote: 'This is horrendous. Heartbreaking. The UK government have failed in every aspect and I am so sorry to see it now affecting you and #nowzad. I am praying for you, your staff and animals to get back safely. Stay safe.' 

The MoD refused to comment on Mr Farthing's accusations last night.

How a deadly deployment in Afghanistan's Helmand province turned Royal Marine into animal saviour when he realised he couldn't leave his new canine pal behind

By JACK WRIGHT FOR MAILONLINE

Tough guy Paul Farthing arrived with the men of Kilo Company of 42 Commando Royal Marines in the war torn town of 'Now Zad' in Helmand Province - one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan - in 2006.

Tasked with providing stability for the local people in the early years of the Western intervention triggered by the 9/11 attacks in the US, the Marines soon realised it wasn't just local people who needed their help - but stray dogs. 

The idea of an animal clinic was first born when Farthing - a Royal Marine Sergeant who goes by the nickname Pen - broke up a dog fight, a popular 'sport' in Afghanistan, taking place outside their remote compound.

Tough guy Paul Farthing arrived with the men of Kilo Company of 42 Commando Royal Marines in the war torn town of 'Now Zad' in Helmand Province - one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan - in 2006

Former Royal Marine commando Paul 'Pen' Farthing, who runs an animal sanctuary in Kabul, has been separated from his wife Kaisa Helene in Kabul

He was befriended by one of the dogs, who became his companion and he was named Nowzad. The Marines built a run and mortar shelter to provide the dogs with some safety and shelter and when the commando force left, Farthing decided he couldn't leave 'those sad big eyes' behind.

With the help of animal lovers Nowzad, several other dogs and 14 puppies befriended by Marines were taken on an epic journey to safety. Within months, the charity was formed with the aim of helping the animals of Afghanistan and educating the local people about the care and treatment of dogs as well as reducing rabies, a major problem in the country.

According to the Nowzad website, the clinic has reunited over 1,600 soldiers with the dogs and cats they rescue and bond with on the frontlines in Afghanistan, and 'continue to be there for the brave men and women who show compassion to animals'. 

'The relationships built up between a dog and soldier on bases can be very special,' Farthing said, 'A dog can ease the stress and provide five minutes of normality that is hugely important in that kind of environment, it can provide a bond that is hard to break.

'Dogs have been proven to help post-traumatic stress and the soldiers who adopt them are addressing this.'   

Undated handout photo of Pen Farthing, founder of animal rescue charity Nowzad

The US-backed authorities in Kabul undertook a brutal operation of poisoning with thousands of stray dogs on the streets but Nowzad implemented an extensive programme of humane trap, neuter, vaccinate and release as an organised and effective way of controlling the dog population - and countering canine rabies.

In parallel, they helped to educate local Afghan children how to avoid feral dogs and the humane treatment of animals.  One dog at the clinic in particular carried the scars of brutality - Atish, brought in by a US aid worker who found him in agony of the streets.

'His back side had been dipped in battery acid, we think,' said Louise Hastie, the former British soldier running Nowzad's operations, 'we amputated most of the tail and he is making a good recovery.'

'We have made real progress here in terms of both care and education and it is thanks to the support of all those people who donate.

'Every penny they give is genuinely helping the lives of Afghan animals and that is something we are proud of. 'For soldiers and others out here that we have helped there has been a special bond built-up with an animal here that they can't give up.

'They become like family, something you can rely on and will not let you down, a comfort even in the worst of times. You can trust them, they will not let you down. Soldiers and others have found you just can't leave them behind.' 

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2021-08-24 23:28:41Z
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