Tobias Ellwood resigns as defence committee chair after controversial Afghanistan video

Published

1 year ago

September 13, 2023

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The chair of the Commons’ defence committee, Tobias Ellwood, has resigned from his role following criticism over a video he posted on social media.

The Tory MP, who had been the chair of the cross-party group since 2020, came under pressure to quit after sharing the clip on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, where he appeared to praise the Taliban’s leadership in Afghanistan.

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Four members of the committee tabled a motion of no confidence against him within days – the first time this measure to remove a committee chair had been used – and a vote was expected to take place by this Thursday.

But a source told Sky News the committee chair “resigned before he was pushed” on Wednesday.

In a statement, Mr Ellwood said he had made the decision with “deep regret” and was “proud of the hard-hitting inquiries” the committee had carried out.

“I believe I have a strong voice when it comes to defence and security,” he added. “I stand up, speak my mind, try to see the bigger picture and offer solutions, especially on the international stage, as our world turns a dangerous corner.

“I don’t always get it right – so it’s right I put my hand up when I don’t.”

The senior backbencher admitted to “poor communications” on his part over the video, saying it was “understandably criticised at the time and reflected poorly on the committee”.

He added: “Whilst I do believe I retained support of the majority of the committee, its dynamic and effectiveness would simply not be the same, and prove a distraction, if all in the room were not supportive of the chair.”

Mr Ellwood shared the video in July showing him visiting Afghanistan, just under two years after the country was seized back by the Taliban.

Since its return, the Taliban has reinstated bans on education for girls and introduced laws stopping women from going to work, as well as outlawing women’s beauty salons and preventing women from being in public spaces, such as parks and gyms.

In the clip, the Tory MP – whose brother was killed by Islamist extremists – said the “war-weary nation” was now “accepting a more authoritarian leadership in exchange for stability”.

He urged the UK to reopen its embassy in Afghanistan – saying: “If the EU’s embassy can open up, so can ours.”

And he said: “Shouting from afar will not improve women’s rights.”

After a huge backlash from politicians, human rights campaigners and women’s groups, Mr Ellwood apologised, saying his “reflections” after a “personal visit” to Afghanistan “could have been worded better”.

But he appeared to defend some of his initial thoughts – reiterating that “our current strategy of shouting from afar, after abruptly abandoning the country in 2021, is not working”.

Mr Ellwood argued: “My simple call to action was to see our embassy reopen again and pursue a more direct strategy to help the 40 million people we abandoned.”

It is not yet clear who will replace Mr Ellwood as the committee chair.

Politics

Social care funding and reform proposals set to be delivered by 2028

Published

23 mins ago

January 3, 2025

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Social care funding and reform proposals set to be delivered by 2028

The government has launched an independent commission to “transform social care” – but proposals for major reform may not be delivered for years.

The two-part commission will be led by Baroness Louise Casey, with the latter phase set to make its final recommendations for social care in England by the end of 2028.

Ministers announced the review, which will begin in April, as part of a wider package of support for the sector.

It includes more funding for elderly and disabled people to make home improvements, and training for care workers to perform health checks for patients in the home.

Friday’s announcement marks the first step towards a National Care Service, which was pledged by Labour in its general election manifesto.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said work has “already begun on stabilising the care sector, investing in prevention, and in carers and care workers”.

He added: “The investment and reforms we’re announcing today will help to modernise social care, get it working more closely with the NHS, and help deliver our Plan for Change.

“But our ageing society, with costs of care set to double in the next 20 years, demands longer term action.

“The independent commission will work to build a national consensus around a new National Care Service able to meet the needs of older and disabled people into the 21st century.”

The commission will be split over two phases with the first, reporting to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in mid-2026, looking at the issues facing social care and recommending medium-term reforms.

The second phase is expected by 2028 and will make recommendations for the longer term.

Baroness Casey said: “Millions of older people, disabled people, their families and carers rely upon an effective adult social care system to live their lives to the full, with independence and dignity.

“An independent commission is an opportunity to start a national conversation, find the solutions and build consensus on a long-term plan to fix the system. I am pleased the prime minister has asked me to lead this vital work.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who is a loud advocate of social care reform, said the commission is “long overdue”.

He said: “2025 must be the year our politics finally rises to the challenge of fixing care – reforming social care and supporting family carers properly too.

“This social care review must be cross-party if it is to credibly stand the test of time and help save our NHS, so it’s disappointing that the government has failed even to consult on its remit.”

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive at The King’s Fund, welcomed the announcement, but urged the government to “accelerate the timing”.

She said the “current timetable” to report by 2028 is “far too long to wait for people who need social care”.

Additional funding has also been committed to the Disabled Facilities Grant, which allows people to apply for funding to carry out work such as widening doors, improving access, installing ramps or stairlifts, or building an extension.

The £86m boost for this financial year is on top of the £86m announced at the budget for the next financial year and brings the annual total to £711m.

About 7,800 more elderly and disabled people could benefit, ministers estimate.