BORIS Johnson has taken a swipe at Joe Biden as MPs blasted the “shameful” US President over his “distasteful and dishonouring” Afghanistan speech.
Furious MPs also mauled Biden for deflecting blame onto the Afghan army after leaving the country at the mercy of brutal Taliban militants.
The embattled Mr Biden was accused of “throwing us and everybody else to the fire” when fired-up politicians raged against him in Parliament on Wednesday.
MPs also warned that the catastrophic US withdrawal could be seen as a weak response from the West – and pump up China and Russia.
Skewering Washington, angry PM Boris Johnson thundered: “The West could not continue this US-led mission – a mission conceived and executed in support and defence of America – without American logistics, without US air power and without American might.”
Mr Biden was also targeted by an unimpressed Tom Tugendhat, Territorial Army veteran of the Afghan conflict.
He savaged the abandonment of the country to the Taliban.
“To see their commander in chief call into question the courage of men I fought with, to claim that they ran, is shameful,” said the Tory chairman of the foreign affairs committee.
“Those who have never fought for the colours they fly should be careful about criticising those who have,” he added in his fierce dressing down.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, said: “The US is, of course, an important ally.
“But to overlook the fighting of the Afghan troops and forces, and the fact that they have been at the forefront of that fighting in recent years, is wrong.”
And Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said: “The American decision to withdraw was not just a mistake – it was an avoidable mistake, from President Trump’s flawed deal with the Taliban to President Biden’s decision to proceed, and to proceed in such a disastrous way.”
Labour MP Chris Bryant called Mr Biden’s remarks about Afghan soldiers “some of the most shameful comments ever from an American president”.
On Monday night, the doddery American leader doubled down on his decision to pull back troops after 20 years.
In an address to the nation he “stood squarely behind” his call to see out Donald Trump’s deal to leave the country.
The President whined: “Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country. The Afghan military gave up, sometimes without trying to fight.”
While also under-fire for withdrawing, the PM explained the “hard reality” was that Washington’s hasty exit left the UK with no choice.
Those who have never fought for the colours they fly should be careful about criticising those who have
Tom Tugendhat MP
He told a packed Commons chamber it was an “illusion” that Britain and other Nato partners would continue the campaign.
Soldier-turned-Tory MP Johnny Mercer retorted that our boys should be more than capable of going it alone.
The Plymouth MP despaired: “We do not spend £40billion a year on a tier-one military to not be able to go out the door without the Americans.”
‘SHAMEFUL’ BIDEN
Other veterans in the House trained their guns on President Biden for accusing the Afghan army of downing weapons in the face of Taliban fighters.
Labour big beast Dan Jarvis – an army Major – agreed it was “particularly distasteful and dishonouring of President Biden to make reference to the lack of courage and commitment by Afghan soldiers who’ve served with such bravery and distinction.”
Ex defence minister, Labour MP Khalid Mahmood, also ripped into the US leader.
He told politicians: “The Biden government have just come in and, without looking at what is happening on the ground, have taken a unilateral decision, throwing us and everybody else to the fire.”
Asked if Mr Johnson agreed with President Biden’s controversial remarks, Downing Street would not be drawn.
The PM’s official spokesperson said: “Well I think the Prime Minister set out in the House we shouldn’t forget the 69,000 Afghan troops who gave their lives in this conflict.”
Earlier Mr Johnson paid tribute to the Western-backed Afghan troops who served alongside British forces.
Source: The Sun
