Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
First report - Missing in action: UK leadership and the withdrawal from Afghanistan
Foreign Affairs Committee
HC 169
Published 24 May 2022
Government response
Second Special Report - Missing in action: UK leadership and the withdrawal from Afghanistan: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report · published 29 Jul 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
4
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 15
Managing a complex evacuation requires Government departments to work together seamlessly, including the FCDO, MOD,...
Conclusion
Managing a complex evacuation requires Government departments to work together seamlessly, including the FCDO, MOD, intelligence agencies, Home Office and Cabinet Office. The National Security Council is “the main forum for collective discussion of the government’s objectives for national security”. …
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Government Response Summary
The response details the pace and intensity of cross-government work on Afghanistan, the meetings held, and the planning for Op PITTING and the Evacuation Handling Centre, but does not directly address the failure of the National Security Council to adequately coordinate cross-Government planning and preparation.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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11
Recommendation
Not Addressed
The FCDO has repeatedly given us answers that, in our judgement, are at best intentionally...
Recommendation
The FCDO has repeatedly given us answers that, in our judgement, are at best intentionally evasive, and often deliberately misleading. On Nowzad, they only admitted that the case had been in any way unusual when faced with the evidence of …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response expresses regret about whistleblowers, reaffirms protection for staff raising concerns, and states the department will build trust with an updated policy. However, it completely fails to address the committee's specific recommendation regarding the Permanent Under-Secretary considering his position.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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13
Recommendation
Not Addressed
The FCDO failed to take the basic administrative step of recording its decisions.
Recommendation
The FCDO failed to take the basic administrative step of recording its decisions. It is fundamental to any bureaucracy to know precisely what decisions have been made, by whom, with what authority, and when. This would be a serious failure …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the general need to keep accurate records for locally employed staff. However, it completely ignores the committee's significant recommendation that the Permanent Under-Secretary consider his position due to a loss of confidence.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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