Was it worth it and for me at the moment, for many of my friends messaging me, i dont think it was. A Minutes Silence will be held in the uk at 11am, in memory of those killed in the plymouth shooting in haiti, the search for survivors in collapsed buildings, as the Death Toll from a huge earthquake rises to nearly 1,300. And double jabbed people in England And Northern ireland will no longer have to isolate if theyve come into contact with someone with covid. Hello and welcome if youre watching in the uk or around the world. The taliban have seized control of afghanistan and declared the War Over after their forces swept into the capital, kabul. Thats triggered scenes of panic, as people desperately try to leave. Just look at this video, filmed at the citys international airport. People are trying to get onto the Plane Climbing up the outside of the gantry, and force their way onto the boarding walkway. Western countries are evacuating their staff and some other individuals theyve sent troops to oversee security. Gunshots have been heard near the airport. Gunfire. You can hear guns being fired on this video, but its not clear if they were being aimed at anyone. There are reports two people have died in the mayhem but its not clear what the circumstances may be. Thats according to eyewitnesses. The exodus continues also by road. This gridlock in the Centre Of Kabul was Filmed On Sunday it gives an idea ofjust how many people are trying to leave the city. At this point, no vehicles were able to move at all. Meanwhile, these pictures show taliban fighters, carrying their weapons, on the streets of kabul� s Green Zone the area which housed foreign embassies. It was one of the most closely guarded areas in afghanistan. As you can see there are no Security Forces in evidence. The international community is now calling on the taliban to ensure the protection of life and property. We begin our coverage with this report from Graham Satchell. On board a plane due to leave kabul overnight. But at the last minute theyre told the Flight Wont be going. Passengers are forced to rejoin the chaos outside. There is Panic And Fear everywhere. For 20 years, afghanistan has had stability, democracy and relative safety. It has all ended in a matter of days. A lucky few have made it out. This is Delhi Airport and a mix of relief, anger and despair. I cant believe the world abandoned afghanistan. Our friends are going to get killed. Theyre going to kill us. Our women are not going to have any more rights. The taliban, forced from power by western troops two decades ago, are back. They claim to have taken over every government department, including this, the president ial palace in kabul. Just hours earlier the former president , Ashraf Ghani, at the same desk. Hes now fled to uzbekistan. In a statement, he said he has left to avoid bloodshed. Kabul is a city on the move, residents desperate to escape. Fear of what is to come has gripped every level of society, including former government ministers. Deep down in my heart i keep telling myself i wont have to pay the price forjoining a government position. But now i might, i might face consequences that i never even dreamed of, and i guess that the price that we pay for trying to make this world a little better than when we came to it, particularly afghanistan. British troops have now arrived in kabul to evacuate Uk Nationals and afghans who worked with them. Its thought around 4,000 in total are eligible to be airlifted out. Criticism of the chaos now engulfing afghanistan is widespread. Parliament will be recalled on wednesday to debate the crisis. Chanting. A protest outside the White House in washington. America has long argued its troops couldnt stay in afghanistan forever, and public opinion supports troop withdrawal. But serious questions are now being asked. Why was so much money spent, so many military lives lost, to simply allow the taliban to walk back into power . The Air Over Kabul is full of helicopters as diplomats and Embassy Staff make their escape. 0n the ground the people wait with growing fear. It was not meant to end like this. Graham satchell, Bbc News. Lets speak to our South Asia correspondent, Anbarasan Ethirajan, whos following developments from delhi. Bearing in mind you are in delhi, i wonder what you can tell us about reports of people being killed around the airport when gunshots were fired. ,. , were fired. There have been reports of aunfire were fired. There have been reports of gunfire near were fired. There have been reports of gunfire near the were fired. There have been reports of gunfire near the airport were fired. There have been reports of gunfire near the airport as of gunfire near the airport as hundreds of people tried to flee Kabul City and there are very few evacuation flights on the tarmac at that time. Most commercial flights are scheduled airlines, they have been suspended. More and more people coming in, we could see some of the videos of people fleeing from gunfire, we do not know who was responsible or what happened to these people. And how they died in these people. And how they died in these incidents. But we are still checking on that. But it shows the reality in kabul, a day after some dramatic developments and people are now waking up to the reality that they do not have a government, there is no one in charge, and what they hear is taliban fighters inside the city now, and many Security Forces members have fled their posts. Law and order is a big issue, many people are spending sleepless nights because there was a lot of looting and people are worried somebody could break into their house, women and children were scared, the situation still continues without knowing who is going to take charge and when these things happen. A few hours earlier i spoke to a taliban spokesperson, based and i asked him yourfighters spokesperson, based and i asked him your fighters entered the city On Saturday, what is your next course of action . In halting English 0urforces were waiting at the gate of the Kabul City and when we received reports of plundering and pillaging, and some people were shooting, so for the sake of the security of the people in kabul, our forces intervened. 0ur Priority now is to maintain security. And to ensure that the property of the people are secure. And their honour is not harmed. And their lives are saved. That is our priority now, right now. When are you going to declare an Islamic Republic now, an emirate . We want to have an inclusive islamic government, so by that, we mean, all other afghans also have participation in that government. Of course we need a legitimate time and deliberation and talks to prepare an announce, the work is under way on that. Who is going to be the chief emir, the president , of the new Taliban Government . It is not decided as yet. And will you have people from the previous administration in your new government . Possibility, yes, but i cannot say for who, and who not. But yes, possibility. I. I, the spokesman is trying to sound reasonable but we know what the taliban � s record is, i suppose its whether anybody nationally or internationally believe is what they are saying. Internationally believe is what they are Sa Inc. , internationally believe is what they are sa in. ,. , are saying. Yes, i asked him about the alleged are saying. Yes, i asked him about the alleged atrocities are saying. Yes, i asked him about the alleged atrocities against are saying. Yes, i asked him about l the alleged atrocities against women in the areas controlled by the taliban and also about the Summary Executions of those who work with the government. He bluntly denied those allegations and he said analysts can work, women can go to Work And School and universities as normal but there is a big difference between what people speak in doha and what we see on the ground itself. We have a number of testimonies and people telling us about the atrocities carried out by taliban fighters on the ground. Women were being forced to marry some of the taliban fighters. Some of these Pro Government initials were summarily executed. Pro government militia. There were a number of people fleeing from the northern part of afghanistan, coming to kabul, they had been giving very harrowing stories about how their houses are being taken over and there is also this ethnic and sectarian divide, people are worried at the taliban are going to come to power, what will happen in the future. ~ ,. , with me now is charlie faulkner, she is a british Freelance Journalist whos been based in kabul since last year. Have you ventured out into the Capital Today or not . I have you ventured out into the Capital Today or not . Have you ventured out into the Capital Today or not . I havent, the main i can Capital Today or not . I havent, the main i can even Capital Today or not . I havent, the main i can even think Capital Today or not . I havent, the main i can even think of Capital Today or not . I havent, the main i can even think of the Capital Today or not . I havent, the main i can even think of the word, | main i can even think of the word, the main area of chaos is the airport, there are thousands of afghans trying to get onto flights out of the country and they have been since last night. The us soldiers have been struggling to keep control of the crowds that are out there and this started around 7pm last night and its still going now. Ivejust been 7pm last night and its still going now. Ive just been speaking to somebody who was there, he was saying he saw a young girl get crushed to death because of this utter panic, that has been unfolding. There was rumours of a taliban attack of the airport. And then there was some videos servicing on Social Media that showed people getting onto military flights without the same level of documentation needed for commercial flights so people started then forcing their way onto flights, onto aeroplanes on the tarmac. They have since managed to calm the situation down but theres still thousands of people and gunshots can still be heard, the soldiers are trying Crowd Control through the use of shooting into the air. Control through the use of shooting into the air into the air. Right. We have also seen social into the air. Right. We have also seen Social Media into the air. Right. We have also seen Social Media images into the air. Right. We have also seen Social Media images of into the air. Right. We have also seen Social Media images of absolute gridlock in the capital. With cars, families trying to get the heck out of there. ,. , families trying to get the heck out of there. ,. , of there. Yes, i mean, the streets have been of there. Yes, i mean, the streets have been pretty of there. Yes, i mean, the streets have been pretty quiet of there. Yes, i mean, the streets have been pretty quiet around of there. Yes, i mean, the streets have been pretty quiet around the j have been pretty quiet around the neighbourhood that i am in. Whats been interesting is you still see women coming out and about, not wearing a burqa and not being accompanied by male relatives, which eases the expectation of what they could be facing out the taliban are taking power because that is what we have seen in the provinces and that is certainly how things operate it when the taliban were in power before. ~ ,. , when the taliban were in power before. , ~ ,. ,. , when the taliban were in power before. ~. ,. ~ when the taliban were in power before. , ~. ,. , ~. , before. Thank you for talking to us. Sta safe. In the next few minutes, we hope to speak to another afghanistan civilian. We can speak now to another former british soldier Dave Watson lost both legs and an arm in an explosion in afghanistan in 2010. Hejoins me now. Hello and thank you for talking to us. Hello and thank you for talking to us,. ,. ,. , hello and thank you for talking to us. ,. ,. ,. , how hello and thank you for talking to us how are hello and thank you for talking to us. How are you . | hello and thank you for talking to | us. How are you . I hello and thank you for talking to us. How are you . I am us. Good morning. How are you . I am fine, but us. Good morning. How are you . I am fine. But more us. Good morning. How are you . I am fine, but more importantly us. Good morning. How are you . I am fine, but more importantly how us. Good morning. How are you . I am fine, but more importantly how are i fine, but more importantly how are you . I fine, but more importantly how are ou . Fine, but more importantly how are ou . ,. ,. , you . I am watching it all over the news. You . I am watching it all over the news its you . I am watching it all over the news its very you . I am watching it all over the news. Its very upsetting you . I am watching it all over the news. Its very upsetting to you . I am watching it all over the news. Its very upsetting to see i news. Its very upsetting to see what is actually unfolding in afghanistan at the moment. What what is actually unfolding in afghanistan at the moment. What are Ou Afghanistan at the moment. What are you particularly afghanistan at the moment. What are you particularly upset afghanistan at the moment. What are you particularly upset about . Afghanistan at the moment. What are you particularly upset about . Its you particularly upset about . It� s upsetting to see the job we have been doing for 20 years, just unfold, like the taliban just taking over again. Unfold, like the taliban just taking overagain. Its unfold, like the taliban just taking over again. Its upsetting to see our work, over again. Its upsetting to see ourwork, go over again. Its upsetting to see our work, go to waste, if you will. It has just unravelled within days . Yes, the Taliban Hasjust literally took over everything, as soon as we said we were coming out, coming back home, that is it. They havejust gone for it. Home, that is it. They have ust gone for itfi home, that is it. They have ust gone for it. They are succeeding. Did ou gone for it. They are succeeding. Did you ever gone for it. They are succeeding. Did you ever think gone for it. They are succeeding. Did you ever think the gone for it. They are succeeding. Did you ever think the war gone for it. They are succeeding. Did you ever think the war in did you ever think the War In Afghanistan in which you served would end like this . I afghanistan in which you served would end like this . Afghanistan in which you served would end like this . I didnt, no. I thou~ht would end like this . I didnt, no. I thought while would end like this . I didnt, no. I thought while being would end like this . I didnt, no. I thought while being out would end like this . I didnt, no. I thought while being out there, thought while being out there, seeing thejob we thought while being out there, seeing the job we were doing, i thought we would have taught the afghan Soldiers Everything we knew, everything we know. The afghanistan forces . The Afghan National Army and the afghan national police. We have been teaching them everything we know the last 20 years. Notjust us, the americans as well. And other countries. So they should have took something on and they should have been, at that stage now, after 20 years, to look after their own country and keep it safe. Gill years, to look after their own country and keep it safe. All that buildu , country and keep it safe. All that buildup. That country and keep it safe. All that buildup, that support country and keep it safe. All that buildup, that support that country and keep it safe. All that buildup, that support that you | country and keep it safe. All that i buildup, that support that you and Build Up, that support that you and many other colleagues gave them, it just led to them capitulating, it would seem, to the taliban militants but i read this morning many of the afghan soldiers have not been paid for months and the taliban were offering hundreds of dollars. So i dont know if that is relevant, maybe it is . Dont know if that is relevant, maybe it is . Well, it is one of them, if maybe it is . Well, it is one of them, if it maybe it is . Well, it is one of them, if it were maybe it is . Well, it is one of them, if it were me, maybe it is . Well, it is one of them, if it were me, right, i maybe it is . Well, it is one of| them, if it were me, right, the maybe it is . Well, it is one of them, if it were me, right, the way ifelt, the way them, if it were me, right, the way i felt, the way i feel about my country, i love my country and that is why i did what i did. That is why i went out to afghanistan, to protect my country and look after the locals. If your heart is in it, you will look after your country for free. Right. That is what i would do. , � , free. Right. That is what i would do. � , free. Right. That is what i would do. Go on. Im sorry, can i ask you about the do. Go on. Im sorry, can i ask you about the work do. Go on. Im sorry, can i ask you about the work you do. Go on. Im sorry, can i ask you about the work you are do. Go on. Im sorry, can i ask you about the work you are doing about the work you are doing specifically that lead to you losing your legs . Specifically that lead to you losing our le. S . , , your legs . Yes, we were pushing the taliban back. Your legs . Yes, we were pushing the taliban back, we your legs . Yes, we were pushing the taliban back, we were your legs . Yes, we were pushing the taliban back, we were getting your legs . Yes, we were pushing the taliban back, we were getting them L Taliban back, we were getting them out of the villages, it was working. 0n the 27th of may, 2000, i went on a Foot Patrol because we heard the taliban were trying to come back in so we went on the Foot Patrol to try and push them back again. Unfortunately i stepped on an ied and lost both my legs and my right arm. I took that sacrifice. I knew we could have happened. I went out there to look after my country and to look after the locals in that part of afghanistan. Yes, its been hard. Becoming a triple amputee. Ive even fell down that dark all, i thought i was coping with it all at one point but i was not, i turned to drink, i turned to drugs and that was my happy place, making me forget about everything. But if it wasnt for finding sport, about everything. But if it wasnt forfinding sport, my family, around me now, i would not be where i am, ive got my own business. My life is pretty well at the moment. But ive got my own business. My life is pretty well at the moment. Pretty well at the moment. But you described it pretty well at the moment. But you described it as pretty well at the moment. But you described it as a pretty well at the moment. But you described it as a sacrifice pretty well at the moment. But you described it as a sacrifice so pretty well at the moment. But you described it as a sacrifice so i pretty well at the moment. But you described it as a sacrifice so i am i described it as a sacrifice so i am going to ask you and i dont know if you reject this question, was it worth the sacrifice you made and many of your colleagues, when you see how quickly afghanistan has been taken over by the taliban again . Ive been saying for the last couple of days, ive done quite a lot of interviews on this for the last couple of days, the way it is at the moment, no, it was not worth it. Im not turning this around but what would you say, all the lies that had been lost, the family is heard, the guys and girls what have had life changing injuries and their lives turned upside down . Is it worth them families being hurt and losing Family Members . To see this unravel again. Family members . To see this unravel aaain. ~. ,. , Family Members . To see this unravel auain. ~. ,. , i. Family members . To see this unravel auain. ~. , n Family Members . To see this unravel arain. ~. ,. , | Family Members . To see this unravel again i dont again. What do you think . I dont think it is again. What do you think . I dont think it is. Because, again. What do you think . I dont think it is. Because, looking again. What do you think . I dont think it is. Because, looking at. Again. What do you think . I dont| think it is. Because, looking at it, it isjust think it is. Because, looking at it, it is just upsetting. All the lives, like what i keep saying, all the lies that have been lost, just think what they could be doing now if the afghans had listened to us and learned from us, it would be a different thing. Learned from us, it would be a different thing. Yes, dave, Thank Ou so different thing. Yes, dave, thank you so much different thing. Yes, dave, thank you so much for different thing. Yes, dave, thank you so much for talking different thing. Yes, dave, thank you so much for talking to different thing. Yes, dave, thank you so much for talking to us, i different thing. Yes, dave, thank| you so much for talking to us, we really appreciate it and i wish you All The Best. Really appreciate it and i wish you All The Best really appreciate it and i wish you All The Best. Thank you. Thank you very much All The Best. Thank you. Thank you very much. Dave All The Best. Thank you. Thank you very much. Dave watson, All The Best. Thank you. Thank you very much. Dave watson, former i very much. Dave watson, former british soldier, very much. Dave watson, former british soldier, served very much. Dave watson, former british soldier, served in very much. Dave watson, former british soldier, served in the i very much. Dave watson, former. British soldier, served in the Scots Guards and he lost both his legs and a norm while serving in afghanistan in 2010. Weve also been getting reaction to the events in afghanistan from the bbc� s chief international Correpsondent Lyse Doucet who is in dubai. I think at this moment, everyone is focused on what is happening in afghanistan, what is happening in kabul, what is Happening Street By street, what is happening at the airport, which is now closed. We, like otherjournalists, are trying to get in. It is closed because it is a scene of chaos and panic. The us marines are struggling to maintain control. The images which came in last night and this morning are of thousands of people on the tarmac, no immigration, people desperate to escape, images of people clinging to the doors of aircraft on the tarmac, desperate to find a way out. I was on a plane yesterday, a commercialflight from dubai. We circled over this chaos for about an hour. The airliner decided it was not safe to land. As a consequence, the more than 400 people who had tickets on this flight, including, we were told, 100 children, including members of an afghan High School team, were not allowed to board. So that meant they went home last night, went to wherever they could find shelter last night, and are no doubt trying to get back to the airport this morning, like countless other afghans who now fear for the future. The Taliban Leadership in Doha Say that they will be humble in their victory, that they will establish order, that they are sending forces in to control criminality and looting. These are the early hours of an absolutely stunning reversal of fortunes for so many afghans, who are now terrified and shattered by this turn, this terrible, terrible turn in their countrys history. In the uk, the Ministry Of Defence has released these images of some british nationals arriving back in the uk from kabul last night. We can talk now to our political correspondent Helen Catt in westminster. That is the key, getting out the hundreds of british passport holders. ,. , holders. That is the immediate riori , holders. That is the immediate priority. Bringing holders. That is the immediate priority, bringing back holders. That is the immediate priority, bringing back those i holders. That is the immediate i priority, bringing back those people from afghanistan, its thought 4000 people they are looking at, british nationals, also afghans eligible to come to the uk. When you are talking about that, youre talking about people for example like interpreters who work with british military, other people who worked with the forces in those public facing roles so the taliban Wouldnt Know who they are, effectively. That is who they are, effectively. That is who the government are prioritising getting out of the country, a note they have potentially a small window in which to do that. Ben wallace, the Defence Secretary was speaking to the bbc earlier and he said military planes are still leaving Kabul Airport. 300 people he said they got out last night, hoping to get another 700 out over the next 2436 get another 700 out over the next 24 36 hours, several hundred beyond that. He said they are working with the Uk Home office to try and speed up the Uk Home office to try and speed up that process because there have to be things like security checks, some of these people dont necessarily work with Uk Forces at the moment, they may have done so 1015 the moment, they may have done so 10 15 years ago, they are working with the Home Office to try and remove some of the more administrative barriers, things like the need for an afghan passport to try and speed up the process and get people out. Here is what he said in terms of the numbers going forward. I am confident that by the end of the month we can get everyone out and actually hopefully sooner. There will be some people left behind. We have made that clear in the last few weeks. I am not going to raise expectations and that is why the Home Secretary has agreed to allow accelerated processing in third countries so that some people who have already left the country but are not in the uk, who find themselves in Refugee Camps in greece, for example, where we have brought back a family from, they can be processed and we can continue to do so. He did, as you heard him say, say it was unlikely they would be able to get every single person out and actually, to be evacuated out of the country, people will need to get to kabul first, country, people will need to get to kabulfirst, if country, people will need to get to kabul first, if they can to get to kabul, he said british troops will not go further into the country to find them, he said the British Military Presence is purely to make sure the flights are able to depart, and able to process the applications, it is not for any wider purpose. Labour urging the government to expand that scheme and there are of course questions being asked about what happens to other afghan nationals who may want to leave the country. We afghan nationals who may want to leave the country. Afghan nationals who may want to leave the country. We spoke earlier to the Man Leave the country. We spoke earlier to the man who leave the country. We spoke earlier to the man who was leave the country. We spoke earlier to the man who was foreign leave the country. We spoke earlier. To the man who was Foreign Secretary when 9 11 happened and when the british and the americans went into afghanistan, jack straw. He said there should not be any artificial limit on the numbers of afghan refugees that we take in this country. Refugees that we take in this count. ,. , refugees that we take in this count. , ~. , refugees that we take in this count. ,. ,. , country. Yes, i think we are going to hear a lot country. Yes, i think we are going to hear a lot of country. Yes, i think we are going to hear a lot of discussion country. Yes, i think we are going to hear a lot of discussion about l to hear a lot of discussion about this in the coming days because there is this Eligibility Scheme which is quite distinct, if you are looking at what happens with other refugees from afghanistan, where do they go, we know canada has taken a significant numbers, other countries have come forward and said we will take in numberso have come forward and said we will take in number so i think there will be a lot of pressure on the Uk Government to say something in terms of what they intend to do in terms of what they intend to do in terms of taking refugees. So i think that will be something that comes up over the next few days, likely to be brought up on wednesday when parliament is recalled to debate the situation in afghanistan. Parliament is recalled to debate the situation in afghanistan. Lets hear now from sharif karimi, who worked as an afghan interpreter for the british forces in helmand. He was speaking from kabul. Right now, i am in kabul. The situation is not confirmed and we dont know what will happen in these days. We dont know who is in charge of the capital of afghanistan. People are just living in fear. They are scared. They dont know what will happen next because the situation is not good. There are many interpreters who are left in afghanistan because of some rejections. They have been rejected many times, the interpreters, and now, the day before yesterday, some of them got E Mails that they are eligible for the Uk Relocation scheme, and they are waiting for their biometric, for their visa and for their flight to the uk. We dont know when will be the flight or when will be the biometrics and the visa. We are so concerned about the situation and we are so worried about the embassy. If the embassy works, we will be happy but if it doesnt work, if it is closed and the airport is closed, then we are left to the taliban. Joining me now is pashtana durrani. Shes a teacher and human Rights Activist whos speaking to us from an undisclosed location in afghanistan. I wonder if you could explain to our viewers why your location a secret. I am in hiding. Tell viewers why your location a secret. I am in hiding i am in hiding. Tell us why you are in hidina. Iam hearing i am hearing every other word that you are saying to us but we will persist and try and sort out the sound if we can. Tell us, describe how you are feeling waking up today with the taliban in control of your country. With the taliban in control of your count. ,. , country. For starters, i did feel hoeless country. For starters, i did feel hopeless because country. For starters, i did feel hopeless because there country. For starters, i did feel hopeless because there are i country. For starters, i did feel hopeless because there are a l country. For starters, i did feel. Hopeless because there are a lot country. For starters, i did feel hopeless because there are a lot of things that we have worked for in the past 20 years that needs surety today. But apart from that, at the same time, we also know that afghanistan has been through worse times and we will persist. I afghanistan has been through worse times and we will persist. Times and we will persist. I dont know if you times and we will persist. I dont know if you have times and we will persist. I dont know if you have managed i times and we will persist. I dont know if you have managed to i times and we will persist. I dont. Know if you have managed to hear times and we will persist. I dont i know if you have managed to hear any of the interviews that taliban spokespeople have been doing but they are trying to sound reasonable. They are trying to sound reasonable. We have no idea at this stage that is propaganda or whether we will have to see what their actions are but what are your concerns for women and girls . For but what are your concerns for women and uirls . ,. , but what are your concerns for women and uirls . ,. , i. But what are your concerns for women and uirls . ,. , y. ,. , and girls . For starters, you have to understand and girls . For starters, you have to understand what and girls . For starters, you have to understand what they and girls . For starters, you have to understand what they say and girls . For starters, you have to understand what they say and i and girls . For starters, you have to understand what they say and what | understand what they say and what they are putting in practice, they are different things, girls in timbuktu, they were not able to go to universities, girls in kandahar, they were asked to go home and mail relatives were asked to fill in their positions in the bank. They are looking for legitimacy for other countries to be accepted as the legitimate government but at the same time, what they are doing in practice. Eitherthey same time, what they are doing in practice. Either they dont have control over their foot soldiers or they want legitimacy but they are not willing to do the work, those are different things. Every time they talk about women, what sort of womens rights are we talking about . Socialising rights . Political rights . Representative rights . Voting rights . Are all of these acceptable to you . At the same time, what about womens representation, how are women going to talk to the Taliban Government, why arent there any woman in your government . And apart from that, educational rights, if afghan girls are going to go to school, can they continue with Education Curriculum or are they talking aboutjust islamic studies . Its a lot of different vague and confusing statements coming from them. They dont have any solid plan, they havent set it up until now, so i would not trust them on this one. ~. , now, so i would not trust them on this one. ~. I. ,. , this one. We have said you are in a secret location, this one. We have said you are in a secret location, you this one. We have said you are in a secret location, you fear this one. We have said you are in a secret location, you fear for this one. We have said you are in a secret location, you fear for your i secret location, you fear for your life. Its clearly not stopping you speaking out. Life. Its clearly not stopping you speaking out speaking out. Yes, definitely. Someone speaking out. Yes, definitely. Someone has speaking out. Yes, definitely. Someone has to speaking out. Yes, definitely. Someone has to speak speaking out. Yes, definitely. Someone has to speak out, i speaking out. Yes, definitely. Someone has to speak out, someone has to speak out because its time they understand, women will not be silenced. Today it is my education, tomorrow it will be my daughter. My sister, my political rights. They are right now taken away, tomorrow it will be my daughter � s my sister � s of course i have to put up a Fight Today so the next generation will not have to face this conflict. I have talked to a number of former british soldiers over the last few days and they all said they went to your country to try and make it better for people like you and they felt to some extent they had, especially when talking about girls being able to go to school are not being able to go to school are not being forced into marriage and the age of 12 and so on. What they have said today as they dont understand why the afghan troops capitulated so easily when british and others had helped build them up, had helped support them. Do you know why . Iam going i am going to be honest, military was never the solution, even from britain and us, never the solution, and then the us claiming they came for our own gains, not for yours, thatis for our own gains, not for yours, that is totally fine, too, we understand the Military Solution was not to build our country and it is our responsibility to build our own country. Forthe our responsibility to build our own country. For the british soldiers who say that we have trained and, you know, made sure that the afghan soldiers can stand, they stood, they were asked not to fight. If you continue to see the actual afghan voices, you will see there is a pattern, they were asked not to fight, to put down their weapons, they were told there is a Peace Deal that has been reached so you have to think about all those things. And at the same time, the corrupt government, the corrupt leaders and that government, they were also pretty much responsible for this fight because they did not stand up with their own people, they did not take the rural areas into their confidence all the people into their confidence, they took the Aid Money and went away and that is the reason so many people lost confidence in them. 50 so many people lost confidence in them,. ,. , so many people lost confidence in them. ,. , 4, so many people lost confidence in them. ,. , ~ , them. So who do you think is responsible them. So who do you think is responsible for them. So who do you think is responsible for the them. So who do you think is responsible for the fact i them. So who do you think is responsible for the fact that. Them. So who do you think is i responsible for the fact that the taliban have now taken control of many parts of your country . Mr; taliban have now taken control of many parts of your country . My own government many parts of your country . My own government that many parts of your country . My own government that has many parts of your country . My own government that has left, many parts of your country . My own government that has left, my many parts of your country . My own government that has left, my own I Government that has left, my own government that has left, my own government that has left, my own government that just left yesterday, they are responsible for it because they are responsible for it because the president , we voted for him, he was responsible. I did not vote for borisjohnson and i dont think they are responsible for my Freedom Or Anything like that. Ashraf ghani was there to ensure those freedoms but at the same time, he brought in these different people who had different, Task Forces from the uk and us, and they did not work for afghanistan, they worked for their own pockets and that is the reason i feel betrayed by my own afghans first but at the same time, all these western countries who had the power, who had be leveraged to pressurise the taliban into accepting womens rights, educational rights and political rights of the civilians, they didnt, so i feel betrayed by them, to come in a sense that they had the leveraged and they called themselves the leaders of the world and they still did not even lift a finger when our Human Rights were abused. Thank you forjoining us. We appreciate your time. A human Rights Activist and teacher talking to us from a secret location in afghanistan. The politician who was british Foreign Secretary when 9 11 happpened, and which led to the us and british forces Invading Adghanistan was jack straw. Going into afghanistan was entirely the right thing to do in the circumstances. It is worth recapping, there had been 9 11, over 3,000 people killed directly as a result of the alqaeda bombers. They could have taken out the White House and were close to doing that. This was a threat not only against america but against the West And Everybody directly or indirectly had suffered from alqaeda. What we did is said to the Taliban Government in afghanistan, give us the alqaeda operatives and give us access to their Training Camps and they could have done that and had they done that they would probably still be in government but they refused to do so. They saw themselves as protectors of these awful terrorists. And so we had to take action, no doubt about that. It was also the case, a lot of good has happened in the intervening 20 years. My disagreement with President Trump who is the architect of this Chaos And President biden who is in a sense implementing this is not over whether it was going to come, a time when nato allies and the us would have to withdraw, of course they would. But how you do that. Absolutely, lets talk about that. What was the point of building up the afghan support, the afghan forces, supporting the afghan forces to take over but then pulling the rug so swiftly from beneath them . I mean, if you are asking me, it is a really brainless thing to do. And im afraid to say, not surprising, when we know who did it, which was President Trump. I am sorry to interrupt, hang on. Us president Joe Biden could have delayed this. He could have done. But the us presence was already weakened by that stage, the taliban hand was strengthened for this reason, which was that President Trumps emissaries in the negotiations which were held directly with the taliban, Mr Trump saying i am the greatest Deal Maker in the world, basically gave away their aces and got little back or nothing in return from the taliban and crucially, President Trump was withdrawing forces while this was taking place. All military historians, i am not one but i have read a fairamount of military history, will tell you one of the really dangerous moments in a Military Conflict is when negotiations are taking place and the conflict has not stopped because each side will seek to strengthen its military position. That is what the taliban have done. Joe biden for sure could be criticised and there is no question in my mind, if you listen carefully to what Ben Wallace, the uk Defence Secretary is saying, that we profoundly disagreed with the way this was handled, this premature withdrawal. And in those circumstances, it is not a great surprise that there has been a rout because if you know you are going to get defeated, there is no point offering your chest for a bullet, that is how it has happened throughout history. Other news now. The Death Toll from the earthquake that struck haiti On Saturday has risen to at least 1,300 people. Hospitals are inundated and struggling to cope with the number of injured, which has almost doubled to around 6,000 people. Rescuers are trying to locate those still trapped under the rubble. Aid workers are trying to provide food, Water And Shelter before a tropical storm strikes later today. James clayton reports from haiti. Its been a devastating 48 hours for this already impoverished region in the South West of the country. The Earthquake Hit in the morning, when many were just waking up, and It Hit hard. It rocked churches, hotels and homes. The Shaking Earth too much for structures that collapsed in on themselves, sometimes on top of people. Houses that were supposed to be places of safety, transformed into death traps. We have seen many patients that were trauma patients, orthopaedic patients and surgical trauma patients. They had to be addressed urgently. Some of them had to be transferred and moved from their locality to more specialised facilities in port Au Prince or elsewhere. The earthquake was bigger than the one that hit 11 years ago, which killed up to 300,000 people. This Earthquake Wont compete with that Death Toll, but there are fears of thousands of deaths. There are several factors that make the Aid Mission here difficult. For one, there is a tropical storm just blowing in now. You might be able to see from The Clouds behind me. But there is also political turmoil. The president was assassinated only last month, and many people here believe that the haitian government does not have the capacity to deal with a disaster like this. The route to the affected areas from the capital is a dangerous road controlled by gangs. Many haitians are sceptical of international help after much of the money promised to rebuild the country after 2010 was squandered. With a State Of Emergency called, the people of haiti are now waiting and watching to see what their government and the international community can do to help. James clayton, Bbc News, port Au Prince. Police forces in england and wales have been asked by the Home Office to review the way they deal with Firearm Applications following the Mass Shooting in plymouth. Police will be issued with statutory guidance which will include Social Media checks for anyone applying for a licence. A Minutes Silence will be observed in the city this morning to remember the five victims. 0ur Correspondent Sarah Ransome is in plymouth with the latest. The community here in keyham and the wider community of plymouth and of course elsewhere, where everyone has been shocked at what happened last week when the five victims died at the hands of the gunman. The gunmans mother, maxine davison, three year old Sophie Martyn and her dad, lee, Kate Shepherd and Stephen Washington, all died here, or at least were injured, and one died in hospital. 0ne centraL Question you alluded to, there, that people want answers, the people who have come to lay toys and tributes here, they want to know why Jake Davison had a gun in the first place. And why when the licence was revoked, why was he given it backjust a few weeks ago, that then resulted in this atrocity. That decision is being investigated by the police watchdog. The Home Office, as you said, has been asking Police Forces in england and wales to look again at the kind of processes and procedures they go through before they approve or deny any application for a Gun Licence and again, and the new side to it, they are saying they are going to issue guidance that checks should be made on applicants Social Media profiles. You will recall that Jake Davison repeatedly posted vile rants on his own Social Media platforms. All of that of course is to come, though, and all of its little comfort to those who are still trying to come to terms with it all. There have been vigils over the weekend, flowers have been laid here and elsewhere in the city, flags are currently flying at Half Mast on the hoe, the waterfront, and there have been various toys and flowers left at locations that meant something to the people that died. Later today, there is another chance for people to remember and commemorate those who died. A Minutes Silence is being held at Plymouth Guildhall in the centre of town, about a mile or so from here. That will give people the chance to pause and reflect and commemorate those who died. The scars here, victoria, will last a long time, they will take a long time to heal but the hope is that today, and the other tributes and vigils over the weekend, have given people a chance to pause for a moment and come together in collective grief as they remember those who died at the hands of Jake Davison. From today, people in England And Northern Ireland Whove received two doses of Coronavirus Vaccine will no longer have to automatically self isolate if they come into contact with someone who has covid 19. Our Business Correspondent Emma simpson reports. Here is a place that should be doing a Roaring Trade with afternoon teas, but this hotel in Sutton Coldfield has had to scale back as its staff keep getting pinged. Well, normally this restaurant would be buzzing at lunchtime but we had to close it. We have had to close our fine dining restaurant. We have closed all our Food Outlets during the day. A business trying to keep the plates spinning in the midst of a staycation boom. We found ourselves, a week last sunday, with virtually no kitchen staff. Everybody was having to self isolate. We went down from probably 10 12 chefs down to two. I suppose Today Cant come soon enough. Absolutely, it cant come soon enough. You know, it will make such a huge difference. At one point, more than half A Million people were getting pinged a week, causing huge disruption for all sorts of businesses. But with three quarters of adults fullyjabbed, the government says now is the right time to relax the rules, another huge step back to normality. From today, people in England And Northern ireland who are fully vaccinated no longer have to self isolate if they come into close contact with a positive case. Instead, you will be advised to take a Pcr Test. If it is positive, you will still have to isolate for ten days. Even though they are not vaccinated, the new rules will also apply to under 18s. Scotland and wales have already made similar changes. Back at the hotel, guests have also had to self isolate. Jade was due to come to a Family Wedding with her husband and two kids. We had already booked the room, the outfits, everything was ready and waiting to go, because we have missed out on so many Family Celebrations since all the covid, and we missed, had to miss out on seeing all ourfamily but at long last, these covid restrictions are finally easing, and many will drink to that. Emma simpson, Bbc News, Sutton Coldfield. More children return to school in scotland this week, with many covid restrictions still in place. Alexandra mackenzie reports. It a new term for pupils at St Benedicts High School in linwood, near glasgow. They are already used to the restrictions that remain in place. Im really relaxed about it, considering before we stopped injune and previous to that, it was, like, the same restrictions coming in, sanitising your hands, going straight to your classroom, wearing your facemask and social distancing from your teachers. This will all stay the same so there is nothing much changing. As long as were not going back into that level of kind of lockdowns and schools being shut, then im happy to take part in any restrictions. I think that is what is most important. I think thats why the restrictions are still in place. How hopeful are you that you are going to be able to sit traditional exams at the end of this year . I want to do them and im, like, excited and im hopeful that we actually get the chance this year to do them. I would hope they go ahead because ive still not experienced being in an Exam Hall yet. I think it would be quite good just to be in an Exam Hall and feel the pressure. And how do you feel about having to come back and still having to wear masks and still having to socially distance from your teachers . I dont really like having to still wear a mask but i feel like having the Desk Sanitised and everything sanitised basically is safer, so thats good. Teachers have been making final preparations. They welcome the restrictions, and also the change to the Self Isolation rule. A whole class will no longer need to self isolate if one person has covid. The change of system will allow kids to stay in the classroom a lot more, to make sure that that consistency of their learning will continue and that their learning is not impacted the same way it was previously so it will be a great change for us and hopefully the kids will benefit really from that. Teachers also said when 16 and 17 year olds are vaccinated, this will make a huge difference. For us, it just gives you that sense of Security A Wee bit more, the Safety Aspect of it, coming in and working very closely with the children. 0urjob is to work very closely with young people and we havent been able to do that at a two Metre Distance in the last 18 months. Because of coronavirus, education has been disrupted for the last two school years. Pupils and teachers here hope this year will bring much more normality. An announcement about next years exams is expected soon from the Scottish Government and the current restrictions will be reviewed in six weeks. Alexandra mackenzie, Bbc News, linwood. The main News Today the taliban seizing control of afghanistan, after sweepingt into the capital, kabul. Jack cummings is a former Bomb Disposal Specialist with the 101 engineer regiment. Hes tweeted. Saturday was actually my anniversary of getting blown up, squaddies call it bangerversary, and normally for me and my wife, its very sombre and we keep ourselves to ourselves, were quite quiet people. We will go out for a few drinks and we reminisce about times in hospital, times going through rehabilitation and its a way for me and my wife to heal and come together but seeing the past week, the past couple of days, whats going on in afghanistan, i felt like i had to put my twopence in and express my views, just the anger, the betrayal, the sadness of what i sacrificed and ive lost, what my friends have sacrificed, their Mental Health right now, what they must be going through. I needed to vent, basically. And i know Social Media can be sometimes good, sometimes bad but for myself, i needed to let out a bit of anger, basically. When you wrote, did i lose my legs for nothing . Probably. Did my mates die in vain . Yes. You mean it. Totally, unfortunately, as bad as it sounds. I honestly thought being out there, i was doing good, i was so proud to serve in the british army, my dad was a sqauddie before me for 42 years in the british army, i was always headed for the military and im not slating it one bit, i had a brilliant time in the military and would do it all over again in a heartbeat, butjust seeing the sacrifices we have made as british soldiers, for itjust to go Up In Smoke in a couple of weeks, you have just got to question, was it worth it . And for me, at the moment, for many of my friends messaging me, i dont think it was. Who is your anger directed towards . I think it was just a general outcry, just to vent it. I know i tagged the Prime Minister and the president of the united states, dont get me wrong, there is no easy answer how to withdraw from a country, i am not naive enough to think we could have stayed there forever, we have no right, we were helping them get back on their feet, training their military, which i know many british soldiers took part in training up the afghans, i knew we could not stay there forever but its just, just to see how easily it collapsed, it should not have happened like that, surely, it should not have happened like that . Tell me about the friends that you lost. On my second tour, we lost two great guys, corporaljamie kirkpatrick, kp, and one of our operators, Staff Sergeant Brent lindley. Before coronavirus, wed meet once a year. Jamie was from wales, outside swansea, his mates would go down and we would do some crazy events, raise money for charity like a raft race, game of rugby, football. That was a way for us as a squadron to get back together and heal and reminisce and Mend Wounds, and at the same time raise a few quid for charity. And brett was our operator, the bravest of the brave, one of the guys who would go in and disarm the bombs, as you know, the main weapons of choice the taliban was the Pressure Plate ied. 0urjob was to go and find them and brettsjob was to go and dismantle them, get rid of them. He was our operator and both paid the ultimate sacrifice. Bretts mother has messaged me a few times since i was injured and i cannot imagine what both families are going through at the moment. Or the rest of the nearly 500. Do you believe. It was over 450 people including your friends that you have just told us about, do you believe they alldied in vain . I hope they didnt, i hope something comes out of this. For 20 years, obviously, we were there. I hope they had peace for a little bit of time. I have had people tweeting saying it wasnt for nothing, young girls were getting educated, all that kind of thing. Me, at the moment, im quite low, im quite low. Im normally quite a positive person since getting injured. Seeing where i have been from and what happened to me, i should not be alive, i was told that by many doctors. Ive always been really positive because of that. Seeing whats happening over there. Im just questioning it. For me, im quite mentally strong, when i first went to headley court, i spent a year and a half with the Mental Health team, talking about the future, everything that comes with that. Ive got a good outlook on life because i should not be here. I cannot imagine what some of my friends, the guys i served with, guys who are still in, still serving, what they must be going through, looking at what has happened over there. All i can say, if you are struggling, speak to someone, family or friends, theres some brilliant charities out there, more than happy to help you. Im sat at home now, my fight is over, as i said in my tweet, and all i can do is wish all of the best to the 600 paratroopers that have gone out and i hope they come home safe and sound. You said you feel low, thats unusual for you. You talked about the Mental Health of others who have served in afghanistan, trying to make peoples lives there better. Are you talking about guilt . Is that what you are referring to . People might feel guilty when they look at how afghanistan has fallen to the taliban so swiftly . To a degree. I have always felt a bit guilty, what happened to me, when i got injured, i was in and out of consciousness, i dont actually remember the day but i have always had guilt because the guys on my team will probably remember that day for the rest of their lives and what happened to me, the things they saw with me. I have always got a little bit of guilt in the back of my mind and im sure many other squaddies and veterans have the same thing. They are there to do a job, we signed on the dotted line, we knew what we signed up for and im not taking that away, i loved my time in the military. I had an incredible career that was cut too soon. But there will always be guilt, thats just me, my incident. That will stay with me. I understand. Finally, could i ask you what your message is to the us president and the british Prime Minister . As i said in my tweet, was it worth it . For me, looking on recent events, i dont think it was. Can they go face to face with a grieving mum, grieving wife, grieving husband, i dont think they can and say, we got something out of it. As i said earlier, there was no easy way to withdraw from afghanistan. I have just got to sit back and be positive and crack on with life. That is way above my pay grade. I cannot question the withdrawal, how it went, all i can do is wish the 600 paratroopers the best and i hope they come home safe and sound. Thank you very much for talking to us, we really appreciate your time. Thank you. Hello again. For many of us, this week is going to be fairly cloudy, with limited amounts of sunshine, and temperatures either around average or just below. The best of any Brightness Today is going to be across central and eastern areas. We have got a weak Weather Front sinking south, bringing some spots of rain. But in the south and also the west, The Cloud will be thick enough at times for some light and patchy rain or indeed some drizzle. Top temperatures up to about 19 20 degrees. Tonight, we start with clear skies in the east but we have got Rain Crossing Scotland and Northern Ireland, getting into northern England And North wales, and behind that, a fair bit of cloud with some drizzle and also some patchy light rain. Widespread Mist And Fog, especially on the coasts and hills. Not a cold night in prospect, though. Tomorrow, the rain pushes down towards the south east. Again, a fair bit of cloud around, thick enough for some drizzle here and there. One or two brighter breaks to the south and the east of mountains, with highs to 20. Youre watching Bbc News. On thursday, five people in plymouth were killed in the uks worst Mass Shooting in more than a decade. Maxine davison, Stephen Washington and Kate Shepherd died in the attack, along with Father And Daughter Lee Martyn and Sophie Martyn. She was just three. A one Minute Silence will be held shortly to remember those who lost their lives. Letsjoin events in plymouth, led by the towns Lord Mayor. In support of their families and Loved Ones and all of those who have been affected. I know many people across the country and the world will also be taking a moment to reflect on the dreadful loss that has been suffered in our community. 0ver has been suffered in our community. Over the last few days, i have witnessed many examples of kindness, Sympathy And Support from across the city and i know plymouth is a place where people stand together during dark times. I hope and believe that we will get through the difficult times that lie ahead. As we try to come to terms with this dreadful loss by continuing to support Each Other. I am going to ask you all to join me in a Minutes Silence, which will be signalled by five gongs, and then as soon as the silence ends, there will be another five gongs, to remember those who have been lost. Thank you. Gong chimes. Five chimes marking the Beginning And Ending of that minute tos silence. A chime to remember each of the five lives lost at the hands of Jake Davison last thursday in plymouth. The lord may speaking before that. This is kevin from the Neighbourhood Watch. It is before that. This is kevin from the Neighbourhood Watch. Before that. This is kevin from the Neighbourhood Watch. It is that Love And Ener Neighbourhood Watch. It is that Love And Energy that Neighbourhood Watch. It is that Love And Energy that we Neighbourhood Watch. It is that Love And Energy that we can Neighbourhood Watch. It is that Love And Energy that we can now Neighbourhood Watch. It is that Love And Energy that we can now use i Neighbourhood Watch. It is that Love And Energy that we can now use to L And Energy that we can now use to bring about change. As a community, we will look to restore and rebuild together. Collectively, we will support Each Other and with help, bring back a community that we want our children to inherit. With grief in mind, i would like to take this time of reflection to also ask that the residents are left to grieve privately in their own homes. I asked the national press not to knock on the doors of the families in our community and please give the opportunity to go in shock to grieve and process these events. Lastly, i would like to thank on the half of Emergency Services on behalf of their bravery. Your efforts are heroic and many want me to pass on their deepest and heartfelt thanks. While speaking about heroic people, i went to personally thank the young adults, teenagers and youth that have kept our vigil clean and came to the park early to help the Neighbourhood Watch set up the vigil for the community. Also, the two young boys, whose brave actions on the day of the shooting saved lives. Your Action And Bravery has been a constant source of inspiration to myself and others and i thank you so much. It is important to the community that the families affected and these young adults and children are cared for now and in the future. To the people of plymouth, you have shown your support and in some of the darkest days, you have reminded us that you are not alone. It really is plymouth together. This solidarity as a city is what makes us great and although it is just two simple words, demeaning mean so much to now the meaning means so much to now the meaning means so much to us now. Thank you. Members of the local Emergency Services, members of Community Groupsjoining the lord may and people around plymouth in that Minutes Silence to remember the victims in the shooting. The uks worst Mass Shooting in more than a decade. Our correspondent Sarah Ransome is in plymouth for us, at biddick drive, where those events unfolded last week. And the mayor saying that people were standing together in dark times. The community is deeply shocked by what happened there but a real sense of Community Spirit prevailing today, one which they are determined will see them through this. � ,. , , determined will see them through this. � , , determined will see them through this. X, ,. , determined will see them through this. Absolutely, this is a day of reflection and this. Absolutely, this is a day of reflection and of this. Absolutely, this is a day of. Reflection and of commemoration this. Absolutely, this is a day of i reflection and of commemoration and a chance to remember the five people who died on thursday evening. Maxine davison, 51 years old. Then you have three year old, Sophie Martyn who was out with her dads, Lee Martyn. And then you have Kate Shepherd and Stephen Washington. Im here away from that main gathering, about a mile or so away from there. But even here, people have come, they have paid their respects and during that Minutes Silence, there was a sombre moment. I saw one person in particular Wiping A Tear from their eyes. They have come to lay flowers, the roadside here is festooned with floral tributes and toys for the Little Girl. One Little Girl told me this morning that she wanted to bring a couple of her own toys that she wanted sophie to be able to play with. There is a real sense of Community Spirit here. It is a Community Spirit here. It is a community that is broken but it is a community that is broken but it is a community that is broken but it is a community that we have been hearing from as you say, the Lord Mayor and the chair of the community and Neighbourhood Watch talking about how they would pull together and as a community they would grow stronger and support Each Other through these difficult times. There are concerns, of course, about the effect that it has had on some of the people that witness the event here on that quiet Summers Evening last sunday. There are concerns about the kind of help that might need to be put in place to help with the emotional and psychological fallout from that and that will not be fixed from Community Leaders in just a week or two. In fact, Community Leaders in just a week or two. Infact, it Community Leaders in just a week or two. In fact, it will take months or possibly years. As people carry on, as the children who knew Sophie And Newsome of the other people try and put into perspective what happened. And new some of the other people. Its a day of reflection and although those cards will take a long time to heal as we have been hearing in the speeches there, there is determination that some good will come from this and the community will rise again. Will rise again. Thank you very much. Iwill will rise again. Thank you very much. I will there will rise again. Thank you very much. I will there in will rise again. Thank you veryj much. I will there in plymouth will rise again. Thank you very i much. I will there in plymouth after that Minutes Silence to remember the victims of last thursdays Mass Shooting. The taliban have seized control of afghanistan and declared the War Over, after their forces swept into the capital, kabul. Thats triggered scenes of near panic, as people desperately try to leave. There have been scenes of chaos at the airport as thousands of civilians, foreigners and afghan officials try to leave. All commercialflights have been suspended and international troops are attempting to organise military evacuations for their citizens. Defence secretary Ben Wallace says 300 people have been evacuated, while 1,500 more are waiting to depart in the next few days gunshots have been heard near the airport. Well, difficult to Hearjust One and now a volley of shots on that video but it is not clear if those shots were being aimed at anyone. Eyewitnesses have told the bbc that at least two people have died in the mayhem. There were reports of troops firing into the air to try and disperse the crowds, possible that some people were killed in a stampede. The exodus continues also by road. This gridlock in the Centre Of Kabul was Filmed On Sunday. It gives an idea ofjust how many people are trying to leave the city. At this point, no vehicles were able to move at all. Taliban leaders, seen here in a new video released by the militants, say the situation in the country is peaceful and have promised to protect the population, including womens rights but there are fears they could reintroduce the strict Sharia Law they previously imposed. In a moment, well hear from the talibans spokesman, but first, Graham Satchell has this report. On board a plane due to leave kabul overnight. But at the last minute theyre told the Flight Wont be going. Passengers are forced to rejoin the chaos outside. There is Panic And Fear everywhere. For 20 years, afghanistan has had stability, democracy and relative safety. It has all ended in a matter of days. A lucky few have made it out. This is Delhi Airport and a mix of relief, anger and despair. I cant believe the world abandoned afghanistan. Our friends are going to get killed. Theyre going to kill us. Our women are not going to have any more rights. The taliban, forced from power by western troops two decades ago, are back. They claim to have taken over every government department, including this, the president ial palace in kabul. Just hours earlier the former president , Ashraf Ghani, at the same desk. Hes now fled to uzbekistan. In a statement, he said he has left to avoid bloodshed. Kabul is a city on the move, residents desperate to escape. Fear of what is to come has gripped every level of society, including former government ministers. Deep down in my heart i keep telling myself i wont have to pay the price forjoining a government position. But now i might, i might face consequences that i never even dreamed of, and i guess that the price that we pay for trying to make this world a little better than when we came to it, particularly afghanistan. British troops have now arrived in kabul to evacuate Uk Nationals and afghans who worked with them. Its thought around 4000 in total are eligible to be airlifted out. Criticism of the chaos now engulfing afghanistan is widespread. Parliament will be recalled on wednesday to debate the crisis. A protest outside the White House in washington. America has long argued its troops couldnt stay in afghanistan forever, and public opinion supports troop withdrawal. But serious questions are now being asked. Why was so much money spent, so many military lives lost, to simply allow the taliban to walk back into power . The Air Over Kabul is full of helicopters as diplomats and Embassy Staff make their escape. On the ground the people wait with growing fear. It was not meant to end like this. Graham satchell, Bbc News. We just want to show you some pictures that we have received from kabul, from the airport to illustrate that desperate scramble to try and get out of the country. You can see there a Us Air Force plane. Its unclear whether those deaths that we have been hearing about at the airport may have been as a result of people trying to clamber onto planes and then falling off but if we just have a look at them again, you can seejust off but if we just have a look at them again, you can see just how desperate the situation is, people trying to even get in the way of the plane, the aircraft to stop it, so that they can somehow get on board. Our South Asia correspondent, Anbarasan Ethirajan is following developments in afghanistan from delhi. He has been speaking to a taliban spokesman in doha. Near the airport as hundreds of people trying to flee Kabul City and there are very few evacuation flights on the tarmac at the time and most commercial flights and scheduled airlines have been suspended and as more and more people are coming in, we could see some of the videos, people are fleeing from gunfire. We dont know who was responsible or what happened to these people and how they died in these incidents but we are still checking on that. But it shows the reality in kabul, a day after some dramatic developments, and people are now waking up to the reality that they do not have a government, there is no one in charge and what they hear is the taliban fighters are inside the city now and many of the Security Forces members have just fled their posts, so the Law And Order is a big issue and people spend sleepless nights because there was a lot of looting and people got worried that somebody can break into the house. Women and children were scared and the situation still continues without knowing who is going to take charge and when these things will happen. A few hours earlier, i spoke to the taliban spokesperson, suhail shaheen, who was based in doha, and i asked him, your fighters entered the city suddenly, now what is your next course of action . Our forces were awaiting at the gate of Kabul City and when we see the reports of pillaging and some people suffering shooting, so for the sake of the security of the people in kabul and our forces entered there. So, our priority now is to maintain security and ensure that property of the people is secure and their honour is not harmed and their lives are safe. That is our priority now. When are you going to declare an Islamic Republic now, an emirate . We want an inclusive islamic government, so by that we mean, all other afghans have also participation in the government. So, of course, that needs a little bit of time and deliberation and talks to prepare and announce. Work is under way on that. Who is going to be the president of the new Taliban Government . It is not decided as yet. And will you have people from the previous administration in your new government . There is a possibility, yes. But i cant say for who and who not. But yes, there are possibilities. I asked him about the atrocities, the alleged atrocities against women in the areas controlled by the taliban and the execution of those that worked for the government. He frankly denied those allegations and he said that journalists can work, women can work and go to school and universities as normal, but again, there is a big difference between what people speak in doha and what we see on the ground itself because we have a number of testimonies and people telling about the atrocities carried out by taliban fighters on the ground. Women are being forced to marry some of the taliban fighters. And some of the Pro Government militias were executed. Some of the videos are circulating. Even though we cannot independently confirm, there are a number of people fleeing from a northern part of afghanistan coming to kabul, they have been giving very harrowing stories about how their houses are being taken over and there is also this ethnic and sectarian divide and that is why and that is why people are worried, if the taliban are going to come to power, what will happen to the future . As we heard Taliban Leaders have promised to protect womens rights but there are fears they could reintroduce the strict Sharia Law they previously imposed. Pashtana durrani is teacher and human Rights Activist whos speaking to us from an undisclosed location in afghanistan. See to start, you have to understand that what you see and what they are putting in practice are two different things. What they say. The girls were asked to go to their home. What they are saying is they are looking to be accepted as the legitimate government of the taliban. But on the ground, maybe they dont have the control of the grand soldiers although they are not willing to do the work. Every time they talk about women, they are being very vague about it. What kind of Women Rights are we talking about stop their political rights, their Representative Rights. Are all of these acceptable for you . At the same time, what about Women Representation . How are women going to talk to the Taliban Government . Why arent there any women in your government to talk to those women . And apart from education rights, if women are going to go to school, can they continue with their educational curriculum, the same educational curriculum, the same educational curriculum or are they talking about islamic studies that every afghan desert anyway . Its a vague and confusing statements coming from them. They havent set it up until now, so i wouldnt trust them on this one. Somebody has to speak up. It is time. Its time that they understand that women will not be silenced. Today, its my Education And Tomorrow it will be my Daughters Education, my sisters education. My political rights are now taken away but tomorrow it will be my daughters and my sisters. I have to put up a Fight Today, so that the next generation doesnt face all of this conflict. Jack cummings is a former Bomb Disposal Specialist, who served two tours with the 101 engineer regiment. Hes tweeted. Was it worth it, probably not. Did i lose my legs for nothing, looks like it. Did my mates die in vain. Yep. Many emotions going through my head, anger, Betrayal Sadness to name a few. He explained why he felt he had to express his feelings. I honestly thought being out there, i honestly thought being out there, i was doing good. I was always heading for the military and im not slating the army one bit. I had a brilliant time in the military and i would do all of that again in a heartbeat. Just seeing the sacrifices we have made as british soldiers, for itjust to go Up In Smoke in a couple of weeks, you have just got to question was it worth it . For me at the moment and for many of my friends messaging me, it wasnt. Stephen evans, served as the uks ambassador to kabul between 2006 and 2007. Hejoins me now. Thank you very much for your time today. Here are the uk parliament, is being recalled on wednesday. For a statement from the Prime Minister and debate. Today, there are people scrambling to get out of afghanistan. What more do you think the government should be doing to help those who want to leave, including but not limited to those afghans who have put themselves at risk to work with british forces . Good morning. Clearly the first priority is to evacuate from afghanistan Uk Nationals and those afghans, Who Loyally over many years worked closely with uk military, but also with uk civil programmes as well. My sense is that that is being properly prioritised and there is an operation under way as we speak at Kabul Airport and we are using glittery assets to help people out. What one hopes is that the service is being streamlined and we are able to expedite the evacuation. Serra; to expedite the evacuation. Sorry for interrupting, to expedite the evacuation. Sorry for interrupting, just to expedite the evacuation. Sorry for interrupting, just on to expedite the evacuation. Sorry for interrupting, just on that i for interrupting, just on that point, i was going to say that there are some suggestions that some of those paper works for some of the afghan interpreters have been lost. What needs to happen in that situation . How do they verify who they say they are . How do they get out safely in that instance . I they say they are . How do they get out safely in that instance . Out safely in that instance . I think the answer out safely in that instance . I think the answer is, out safely in that instance . I think the answer is, there out safely in that instance . I think the answer is, there are out safely in that instance . I think the answer is, there are clearly i the answer is, there are clearly some Security Procedures that have to be followed. We have to check that people are who they say they are. But if in doubt, get people out and let the paperwork catch up afterwards. We have to get people out if we generally believe that these are people who did work for us loyally and should now go to the uk. Is one thing that youve got to remember of course, is notjust afghans who work for british and four other western countries, who are at the moment seeking to leave afghanistan. Brute are at the moment seeking to leave afghanistan afghanistan. We have seen a lot of. We have afghanistan. We have seen a lot of. We have seen afghanistan. We have seen a lot of. We have seen a afghanistan. We have seen a lot of. We have seen a movement afghanistan. We have seen a lot i of. We have seen a movement of people to the borders of afghanistan. If they cross the border, they become refugees. Clearly, the uk is going to want to work with the Wider International Community to work out how to respond to this. There is an unfolding humanitarian disaster in afghanistan and that means we need to be thinking about funding, un agencies, ngos and others, who will be working to provide assistance. We need to think through our own readiness to take refugees to the uk. We have been part of the Afghanistans History for the last 20 years. That does mean that we will want to shoulder our share of an international burden when it comes to resettling refugees, people who are generally fleeing persecution in afghanistan. The are generally fleeing persecution in aft hanistan. , are generally fleeing persecution in afghanistan afghanistan. The other question is will be taliban afghanistan. The other question is will be taliban allow afghanistan. The other question is will be taliban allow people i afghanistan. The other question is will be taliban allow people to i will be taliban allow people to leave afghanistan . You were in the country in 2001. You were in the team reopening the british embassy six days after the collapse of the Taliban Regime. 20 years on, do you think the taliban of 2021 is significantly different in its thinking . I significantly different in its thinkin . ,. , significantly different in its thinkin . ~. ,. ,. , thinking . I think we have got to wait to see thinking . I think we have got to wait to see. I thinking . I think we have got to wait to see. I think thinking . I think we have got to wait to see. I think that thinking . I think we have got to wait to see. I think that the i wait to see. I think that the taliban have been on a journey and i first served in a taliban controlled kabul in 1996 as part of the United Nations and i think that the United Nations and i think that the taliban then were probably less capable than the taliban are now. I think the taliban know that they made mistakes in The 90s that they would not want to replicate. So, we do have some prospect of being able to engage with a Taliban Regime. I think there are three big questions that we have to ask ourselves. Firstly, do we think that the Taliban Regime will respect Human Rights . We know they will declare the shariah law, there is no doubt about that at all. But will it be in the context of protecting Human Rights . Secondly, will they find a way of enabling the governance institutions, which we helped develops over the last 20 years to function. Will they allow democracy to function . And the third thing is, will they be responsible when it comes to assuring that afghanistan doesnt become a Safe Haven for international terrorism . We mustnt international terrorism . We mustnt assume international terrorism . We mustnt assume that they will simply go back to the bad ways of The 90s. They may have learnt but we should not take anything for granted and we dont give them the benefit of the doubt. We just wait to see how they develop and then we engage appropriately. And of course, questions are being asked about whether there is a disconnect between what is being said in doha and what is happening on the ground. Many people are displaced as you say, what is the taliban going to do with the situation but it has inherited . We heard from our editor who asked the taliban spokesman about ngos for example and he said he doesnt think they have anything to worry about. I think the real concern is that the rapid spread of taliban control has damaged, if you like, all of the structures of government that is currently in afghanistan. How quickly can they restore it . Can it work at a local, regional and national level . Can ngos work on the ground . Can you actually deliver assistance to those who need them . We are looking at a country, we dont have to worry about dont only have to worry about internally displaced. 5 Million people in afghanistan are vulnerable in terms of food security. There are a whole range of humanitarian issues that need to be addressed and the taliban themselves find it very hard to address those issues themselves and they may have through their rapid advance in afghanistan disrupted the very mechanisms that they need to deliver the necessary assistance. Now, of course, the taliban have effectively taken over, it is becoming their responsibility and they have to think through logically how they that responsibility. Thank ou ve how they that responsibility. Thank you very much how they that responsibility. Thank you very much for how they that responsibility. Thank you very much for your how they that responsibility. Thank you very much for your thoughts i you very much for your thoughts today. The Ministry Of Defence has released these images of some british nationals arriving back in the uk from kabul last night. The military transport landed at Raf Brize Norton in oxfordshire. We can talk now to our political correspondentjonathan blake. Good morning. What more can you tell us about efforts about british nationals or afghan nationals that work with the british out of the afghanistan. Work with the british out of the afghanistan afghanistan. From what the government afghanistan. From what the government is afghanistan. From what the government is said afghanistan. From what the government is said this i afghanistan. From what the I Government is said this morning, afghanistan. From what the government is said this morning, it is their priority and where efforts are focused. As youve been saying, its a pretty desperate situation at the airport but Ben Wallace has said this morning that the military side of the airport is in fact secure as far as the british presence virgos and in terms of the numbers of people that they are trying to get out, the estimates are around 4000 petition nationals or afghans who have been associated with the uk during their presence there at any point in the last 20 years. 300 came home yesterday as you saw that Plane Landing and 700 are expected to make it out either today or tomorrow. The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said that some wont make it back in acknowledgement that there is only so much that the uk can do at this point to bring home both british nationals but also afghans who have been associated with the uk during their presence there. He did talk a bit more about the process which is under way to do that and the removal of sand, as he put it, bureaucratic barriers which remain in place. Im confident by the end of the month we can get everyone out and hopefully sooner. Im not going to raise expectations and thats why the Home Secretary has agreed to a low accelerated processing third countries so some people who have already left the country but are not in the uk find themselves in Refugee Camps in greece for example, they can be processed and they can continue to do so. We can be processed and they can continue to do so. Can be processed and they can continue to do so. We are also told that as a diplomatic continue to do so. We are also told that as a diplomatic effort continue to do so. We are also told that as a diplomatic effort under. That as a diplomatic effort under way led by the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who came back from holiday yesterday, a Situation Labour are describing as shameful, and from what the Prime Minister said yesterday that we can assume those efforts centred around trying to get the international community as a whole to either recognise or not the new Taliban Government in afghanistan and do that collectively rather than unilaterally and some efforts towards meetings of nettle united Nations Security Council in the coming days. We will have to wait and see if that transpires or not. There has been continued criticism of the Government Decision to withdraw troops from afghanistan following the us in doing that and also the way it has gone about it. The way in which it has responded to events in afghanistan over the last few days. To give you a flavour of that a conservative mp talking this morning about a ridiculous and cruel lack of foresight and planning, suggesting the uk is let down the afghan people and take in the country back 20 years and we will hear more of that from mps when they return to parliament here at westminster which has been recalled on wednesday. After the sport we will have your questions answered on the subject that if you have had two doses of the vaccine and are in england or Northern Ireland you will not have to any longer itself isolate if you come into contact with someone who has covid. Were set for a thrilling final day in the second test between England And India at lords. The latter resuming 154 runs ahead with four wickets remaining. England though have made an early breakthrough, Rishabh Pant went a short while ago for 22 caught Byjoss Butler off ollie robinson. Mohammed shjami in to replace him alongside ishant sharma. So three wickets in hand, 180 ahead. England will be looking to scuttle off a few more tickets which will make the target very potentially interesting indeed. Joe root� s 180 underpinned englands first inning score, england second best of the two sides in the drawn first test. Follow via the Bbc Sport Website, highlights on bbc2 tonight. Highlights on bbc two tonight. Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo says Harry Kane will continue to Build Up his fitness after opting not to select the striker in yesterdays1 0 win over manchester city. The champions are yet to meet Tottenhams Valuation of the player who only recentlyjoined up with the squad alongside several new signings. So we thought for christian and bryan it was very important for them to be with us today, to feel the atmosphere, to be in the stadium, to be in the hotel, attending the meeting, all these things, but knowing that they dont have too many sessions with us. Harry worked this morning, he is preparing himself, and when hes ready, he willjoin the group and help the team. Roger federer will have further Knee Surgery keeping him on the sidelines for many months. The 40 year old had double Knee Surgery last year and says he hopes the latest surgery will give him a chance of comepting again. Its going to be difficult of course in some ways, but at the same time, i know its the right thing to do because i want to be healthy, i want to be running around later as well again. I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form. Iam realistic, dont get me wrong, i know how difficult it is at this age right now to do another surgery and try it. I want to be healthy and ill go through the rehab process. I think also with the goal while im still active which are things thats gonna help me during this long period of time. Mark cavendish is the first rider to be confirmed for this Years Tour of britain. The Manx Sprinter equalled eddy Merckxs Record of 34 tour de France Stage wins last month. Cavendish will lead belgian Team Deceuninckquick Step when the race begins in cornwall on september 5th. Kevin kisner won the pga tours first six way play off to claim the wyndham championship. All six parred the first play off hole before kisner put himself closest on the next with his second shot into a long parfour. Everyone else missed their Birdie Chance before he putted in to take his tenth pro title and put himself in contention for a ryder cup place. This year has been somewhat of a struggle for me. I kind of started the year with a play off Loss And Struggle through the spring and started to find some form and play through the summer and to cap off the season with a Win And Head to the season with a Win And Head to the play offs and move up the list and have the chance to win the Fedex Cup Championship isjust an and have the chance to win the Fedex Cup Championship is just an awesome week. Cup championship is ust an awesome week. , Cup Championship is ust an awesome week. ,. , 4 Cup Championship is ust an awesome week. ,. ,. , ~. , Cup Championship is ust an awesome week. ,. ,. ,. ,~ week. England look to have taken another wicket week. England look to have taken another wicket at week. England look to have taken another wicket at lords week. England look to have taken another wicket at lords on i week. England look to have taken another wicket at lords on the i another wicket at lords on the final day of the second test. As things stand they will be hoping to have a target of the coaches for a potential victory and it has been confirmed india are eight wickets down on the final day. You can follow it on the Bbc Sport Website and highlights on bbc two tonight. From today, people in England And Northern Ireland Whove received two doses of Coronavirus Vaccine will no longer have to automatically self isolate if they come into contact with someone who has covid 19. The changes to the way the nhs Covid App works which have already been implemented in wales and scotland should significantly reduce the number of people being compelled to stay at home. Our business correspondent, Emma Simpson reports. Here is a place that should be doing a Roaring Trade with afternoon teas, but this hotel in Sutton Coldfield has had to scale back as its staff keep getting pinged. Well, normally this restaurant would be buzzing at lunchtime but we had to close it. We have had to close our fine dining restaurant. We have closed all our Food Outlets during the day. A business trying to keep the plates spinning in the midst of a staycation boom. We found ourselves, a week last sunday, with virtually no kitchen staff. Everybody was having to self isolate. We went down from probably 10 12 chefs down to two. I suppose Today Cant come soon enough. Absolutely, it cant come soon enough. You know, it will make such a huge difference. At one point, more than half A Million people were getting pinged a week, causing huge disruption for all sorts of businesses. But with three quarters of adults fullyjabbed, the government says now is the right time to relax the rules, another huge step back to normality. From today, people in England And Northern ireland who are fully vaccinated no longer have to self isolate if they come into close contact with a positive case. Instead, you will be advised to take a Pcr Test. If it is positive, you will still have to isolate for ten days. Even though they are not vaccinated, the new rules will also apply to under 18s. Scotland and wales have already made similar changes. Back at the hotel, guests have also had to self isolate. Jade was due to come to a Family Wedding with her husband and two kids. We had already booked the room, the outfits, everything was ready and waiting to go, because we have missed out on so many Family Celebrations since all the covid, and we missed, had to miss out on seeing all ourfamily but at long last, these covid restrictions are finally easing, and many will drink to that. Emma simpson, Bbc News, Sutton Coldfield. Many people will have questions about the rule changes, and we can answer some of them now in � your questions answered. With me to answer your questions is dr deepti gurdasani, clinical epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of london. We will get straight on to this question from jenny who says i live in supported accommodation and have been told the new rules do not apply to us. There are no publications i can find on this. Do i still have to self isolate for ten days if someone in my Accommodation Test positive . The rules are based on households which are defined in people at the same Address And Shedding living spaces which could be kitchens and bathrooms or other areas and if you are in contact with someone who is symptomatic but not to symptomatic yourself you have to self isolate for ten days unless you are doubly vaccinated are under 18 and six months. If you fall into those categories you dont have to isolate for ten days but are advised to take Pcr Test and if it is positive you have to self isolate for ten days. I am not aware of any exceptions for supported accommodation. There are exceptions for Health Care settings, social care settings and residents of social care settings and Care Homes but im not aware of any exceptions for supported accommodation. Exceptions for supported accommodation. , , exceptions for supported accommodation. ,. , accommodation. That brings us onto the next question accommodation. That brings us onto the next question that accommodation. That brings us onto the next question that asks accommodation. That brings us onto the next question that asks do i the next question that asks do isolation rules apply to Care Home residents. Hat isolation rules apply to Care Home residents. ,. Residents. Not in the same way. Those exemptions residents. Not in the same way. Those exemptions dont residents. Not in the same way. Those exemptions dont seem l residents. Not in the same way. | those exemptions dont seem to residents. Not in the same way. I those exemptions dont seem to apply to Care Home residents. If a Care Home resident comes into contact with somebody with confirmed infection theyre expected to isolate for 14 days if there are facilities for them to isolate. If there are not facilities i believe there are not facilities i believe the actual hearted in isolation alongside other people potentially exposed to the quarantine as a group. But they dont have the exemptions for double vaccination that people in other settings do, i believe. �. ,. , ,. , believe. Another hopefuL Question here is probably believe. Another hopefuL Question here is probably worth believe. Another hopefuL Question here is probably worth going i believe. Another hopefuL Question here is probably worth going over| here is probably worth going over again because people will be asking about this. Jason says i have tested positive for covid. Does my wife have two isolate, she is double jabbed and also my children . The Household Jabbed and also my children . Tie household rules are jabbed and also my children . Ti2 household rules are if you come into contact with a Hose Holder Member who unaffected if you are double jabbed and are or are under 18 and six months you do not have to self isolate. With a double Jabbed Person you need to have had the vaccine for 14 days for this to apply. Those are government recommendations right now. I imagine ou would recommendations right now. I imagine you would see recommendations right now. I imagine you would see an recommendations right now. I imagine you would see an innocence recommendations right now. I imagine you would see an innocence like i recommendations right now. I imagine you would see an innocence like this i you would see an innocence like this what it is a family living in a very close contact it is absolutely imperative everyone else in the house gets tested which might be a slightly different situation where you come into contact with someone only for a brief period who has tested positive, somebody you dont live with. The tested positive, somebody you dont live with. , tested positive, somebody you dont live with. ,. , live with. The Delta Variant is hi. Hl live with. The Delta Variant is highly transmissible live with. The Delta Variant is highly transmissible and i live with. The Delta Variant is highly transmissible and we | live with. The Delta Variant is i highly transmissible and we know from the data while you are have hypertension your risk is 50 compared to being unvaccinated so to still high and you run the risk of getting infected and transmitting to other people you get into contact with when youre not isolating. Even at 9599 mask so if you are in fact digital spread to other people. Melanie says my son got covid before he took his vaccination and what are the regulations in his case regarding travel abroad . Ii the regulations in his case regarding travel abroad . If he is not doubly regarding travel abroad . If he is not doubly vaccinated regarding travel abroad . If he is not doubly vaccinated and i regarding travel abroad . If he is i not doubly vaccinated and i assume he is not based on the fact he was supposed to get his first doors six weeks ago, if he is under 18 years and six months and has come into contact with somebody who is infected in the same household or elsewhere then he would not be expected to isolate, he would be advised to take a Pcr Test and if you become symptomatic are pcr to self isolate. Pcr positive. He would have to check the rules to which country he is travelling to and even travelling back from different countries depend the green, amber or red list. I would say i think in his case if he becomes a contact given that he has had a pcr within the last 90 days current recommendations as he does not need repeated Pcr Test unless he develops new symptoms. If a symptomatic contact they dont advise getting a Pcr Test if you have one in the last three months. Helen says our son was sent back from nursery last friday due to being in contact with a positive covid child. We expected him to be back today that the nursery say they are maintaining the old rules till the 1st of september. Do the changes and guidelines mean i can come out of Isolation Obit can to come to come out of Isolation Obit can take tenacity . I come out of Isolation Obit can take tenaci . , tenacity . I am not sure whether the tenacity . I am not sure whether the ten da s tenacity . I am not sure whether the ten days have tenacity . I am not sure whether the ten days have passed. Tenacity . I am not sure whether the ten days have passed. Helen tenacity . I am not sure whether the ten days have passed. Helen talks l ten days have passed. Helen talks about last friday. Ten days have passed. Helen talks about last friday. Ten days have passed. Helen talks about last friday. R ten days have passed. Helen talks about last friday. R can ten days have passed. Helen talks about last friday. R can i ten days have passed. Helen talks about last friday. R can i take. About last friday. R can i take him to nursery . In about last friday. R can i take him to nursery . About last friday. R can i take him to nursery . In the future if he is a contact him to nursery . In the future if he is a contact of him to nursery . In the future if he is a contact of somebody him to nursery . In the future if he is a contact of somebody who him to nursery . In the future if he is a contact of somebody who is i is a contact of somebody who is infected he does not have to isolate for the ten day period. He would be advised again to do a Pcr Test but i think again the local rules might be different in the nurseries he attends and you would have to follow their rules although the government does not necessarily require that the situation might be different in a local area. The situation might be different in a localarea. I the situation might be different in a local area. I want to say that although these are the government rules it is very clear children do get infected and you transmit and i dont believe a lot of these rules are based on the actual science and i think they would potentially put people at risk particularly when they messed in School And Mix in School And Nursery environments and children are not offered the vaccination which is for those over 16. 1 vaccination which is for those over 16. , ,. ,. , vaccination which is for those over 16. C, vaccination which is for those over 16. i. , , 16. I assume a child of Nursery Age would not necessarily 16. I assume a child of Nursery Age would not necessarily have 16. I assume a child of Nursery Age would not necessarily have a 16. I assume a child of Nursery Age would not necessarily have a Pcr L would not necessarily have a Pcr Test. ,. ,. , , would not necessarily have a Pcr Test. ,. , ,. , test. Yes, potentially they would be a contact probably test. Yes, potentially they would be a contact probably are test. Yes, potentially they would be a contact probably are close test. Yes, potentially they would be a contact probably are close contact| a contact probably are close contact of someone infected and mixing with many other people in a very close environment where children do not have masking and social distancing and may not be able to get tested and may not be able to get tested and i think that is a high risk super spreading environment so i would be cautious even though the rules would allow you to present in that setting. Mike you are asking people to use a good dollop of common sense. Yes. This is the official advice but it seems counter to a lot of what we have learned particularly recently with the Delta Variant and what seeing now in young age groups and i think the Infection Risk is really high and if people follow the rules in a very literal senseit follow the rules in a very literal sense it makes sense to take those precautions of masking to protect the people and avoid socialising with people if you have been exposed to somebody even although the rules dont explicitly tell you to do so and if you can isolate please do. Get tested for sure because the test is likely to pick up positive although not 100 sensitive and that then your contacts can be contacted and told they may be at risk. The test youre and told they may be at risk. The test youre talking about is a pcr, not a lateral flow test. Much absolutely. For contacts the advice is Pcr Test. There are also regular rapid testing available so if youre a symptomatic and not a contact of anybody exposed and you just want to test yourself regularly you can also do that by applying for rapid tests to be delivered to your Household And Test yourself regularly but that sort of a separate throngs and not from contacts of people infected people who have symptoms. A question from John Carlisle who says my daughter tested positive for covid ten days ago and has no symptoms. Does she have to test continually until she test negative . Does she have to test continually until she test negative . Know, often the Shed Virus until she test negative . Know, often the Shed Virus that until she test negative . Know, often the Shed Virus that is until she test negative . Know, often the Shed Virus that is able until she test negative . Know, often the Shed Virus that is able to the Shed Virus that is able to transmit and his Dad Virus particles. This might change with the Delta Variant but we dont have evidence yet. For now you need to test for ten days since she first developed symptoms or if you dont have symptoms the first day you tested positive and that does not depend on your test becoming negative at that point in time and a testis negative at that point in time and a test is not necessarily mean you are infectious. , , infectious. David and derbyshire asks can someone infectious. David and derbyshire asks can someone explain infectious. David and derbyshire asks can someone explain why i infectious. David and derbyshire i asks can someone explain why you should keep the Covid App after today after having been doubly vaccinated today i will no longer have to self isolate unless i developed symptoms. I have to selfisolate unless i developed symptoms. I think this is art of the developed symptoms. I think this is part of the confusing developed symptoms. I think this is part of the confusing messaging developed symptoms. I think this is part of the confusing messaging by| part of the confusing messaging by government stop you will be advised to take a test and i think it is useful if youre exposed to take that test because your risk of being infected even while doubly vaccinated is still higher than the general population if youre exposed to somebody with covid. The rest is between li to 10 so you getting a Pcr Test and testing positive might help you isolate which is on the way we can prevent transmission and break the Transmission Chain because it makes you where you are affected whether or not you are symptomatic and we will also reach out to your contacts and suggest a isolate, particularly if not double jabbed and a list to get tested. Aha, particularly if not double abbed and a list to get tested. And a list to get tested. A final auestion and a list to get tested. A finaL Question from and a list to get tested. A finaL Question from richard. And a list to get tested. A finaL Question from richard. If and a list to get tested. A finaL Question from richard. If the L Question from richard. If the government believes it is Safety And Self isolation after five days with the Pcr Test, why are day two and day it tests required . This seems to apply to travel. I will repeat it for you, apply to travel. I will repeat it foryou, if apply to travel. I will repeat it for you, if the government believes it is Safety And Self isolation after five days with a negative Pcr Test, why are day two and day it tests required . Tests required . None of these olicies tests required . None of these policies make tests required . None of these policies make any tests required . None of these policies make any sense tests required . None of these policies make any sense to. Tests required . None of these| policies make any sense to me tests required . None of these policies make any sense to me and i completely understand the question. It is not safe to and Self Isolation after five days. It is not safe to and Self Isolation afterfive days. Many it is not safe to and Self Isolation after five days. Many countries have shown that and it is not even safe to after ten days. Most countries that have kept the Delta Variant out of had isolation periods of 1a days and many have extended it because people can remain infectious for longer. I empathise with the question but on dont understand the Policy Basis and have questioned it many times. Aha, Policy Basis and have questioned it many times many times. A finaL Question from me. Many times. A finaL Question from me given many times. A finaL Question from me. Given that many times. A finaL Question from me. Given that such many times. A finaL Question from me. Given that such a many times. A finaL Question from me. Given that such a high me. Given that such a high percentage of adults in the uk no are doubly vaccinated is the timing right on this with this change to the rules . ,. , � , right on this with this change to the rules . Right on this with this change to the rules . ,. , � ,. , the rules . No, i dont see how the tame level the rules . No, i dont see how the tame level he the rules . No, i dont see how the tame level be right. The rules . No, i dont see how the tame level be right. We the rules . No, i dont see how the tame level be right. We are the rules . No, i dont see how the| tame level be right. We are talking about isolation as an inconvenience when actually it is a necessary way to stop transmission and that is so much evidence know from the uk and from the united states and israel that shows even if youre doubly vaccinated you still are at reasonably high risk of getting infected and if you get infected your risk of transmission is as high as someone unvaccinated so countries that have made exemptions with respect to vaccination ive had to go back because of the Delta Variant on the risk it poses in terms of transmission. We need to remember based on the last office of international statistics data from friday one and 75 people are infected and for young people that is one infected, very high levels of infection and infections are growing not coming down. We have 800 people admitted to hospital every day and 600 people died with covid in the last week. Only 60 of the population is fully vaccinated and 40 are not fully protected and there are also lots of clinically vulnerable people vaccinated who will not respond to further vaccinations. We need to protect everyone by essentially keeping Transmission Law and that is a real worry this policy not based on any evidence will pour fuel on the fire and make things worse just before schools open in september and lead to a further surge. To a further surge. Thank you very much for answering to a further surge. Thank you very much for answering those to a further surge. Thank you very l much for answering those questions today. Thank you to our viewers for sending in your questions. A Bbc Investigation has found that hospitals across england have taken part in emergency exercises in case of a Roof Collapse caused by ageing concrete. Seven hospitals were built using a low quality, lightweight concrete and one of them is now limiting operations on heavier patients in case the floor gives way. Our correspondent Nikki Fox has this exclusive report. Steel posts holding up the roof on a childrens ward, on a maternity unit, where mothers lie with new babies. Seven hospitals in england, all constructed with a type of lightweight concrete. But it is failing and all need to be rebuilt. So we are currently on one of our service corridors. What you can see above you is a latticework of structural timbers. Should a plank fall, they will cradle them and support them. The West Suffolk Hospital was built with concrete rack planks. They were never meant to last and are 15 years beyond their expected lifespan. The Trusts Risk Assessment is clear without the safety measures, the threat of planks failing is immediate. But they will take two years to install, so they have commissioned a corporate Manslaughter Report in Case Anything goes wrong. The situation we are facing, it is unprecedented. Why would you describe it as being unprecedented . No one is clear the way in which this structure will perform as it gets to that kind of age. Documents obtained by bbc look east show last year, trusts in the east took part in exercise hodges. Documents obtained by bbc look east show last year, trusts in the east took part in exercise hodges. It simulated a scenario in which part of the hospital collapsed because of concrete planks failing. At west suffolk, all the external walls are made of rack. The technical briefing states that now, nearly all of the wall planks have some corrosion, with a risk of severe corrosion in two thirds. And how much do these planks weigh . Broadly, they are about a third of a tonne. So that is why it is so important to make sure that this support is in place . It is, yes. A new West Suffolk Hospital could be nine years away. Seven hospitals across the country need rebuilding because of crumbling concrete. Airedale in West Yorkshire has no guarantee of funding. Nor does hinchingbrooke in cambridgeshire, where the ageing building is causing major issues. The concrete panelling is also affecting the load bearing on some of the floors, which means that patients heavier than 19 Stone Cant be operated on in some of the theatres. Shutting some of the hospitals to do the repairs quicker was considered. If we were to close a hospital then the burden would fall on those neighbouring hospitals and the nhs as a whole is going through a time when we are extremely busy. Thousands of emergency beds would be lost if all seven hospitals closed for repairs. Nhs england says trusts are maintaining a safe service for patients, who should access Hospital Care as they normally would. Nikki fox, Bbc News. Now its time for a look at the weather with Carol Hello again. For many of us, this week is going to be fairly cloudy, with limited amounts of sunshine, and temperatures either around average or just below. The best of any Brightness Today is going to be across central and eastern areas. We have got a weak Weather Front sinking south, bringing some spots of rain. But in the south and also the west, The Cloud will be thick enough at times for some light and patchy rain or indeed some drizzle. Top temperatures up to about 19 20 degrees. Tonight, we start with clear skies in the east but we have got Rain Crossing Scotland and Northern Ireland, getting into northern England And North wales, and behind that, a fair bit of cloud with some drizzle and also some patchy light rain. Widespread Mist And Fog, especially on the coasts and hills. Not a cold night in prospect, though. Tomorrow, the rain pushes down towards the south east. Again, a fair bit of cloud around, thick enough for some drizzle here and there. One or two brighter breaks to the south and the east of mountains, with highs to 20. This is Bbc News. The headlines. Desperate scenes at Kabul Airport as hundreds try to leave afghanistan, following the taliban takeover of the capital. I cant believe the world abandoned afghanistan. Our friends are going to get killed. Theyre going to kill us. Our women are not going to have any more rights. Its sparked the closure of western embassies, with the taliban now in control of kabul� s Green Zone. British troops continue to evacuate people from the country. One former serviceman who lost both legs in afghanistan says his friends died in vain. The sacrifices weve made as british soldiers, for itjust to go Up In Smoke in a couple of weeks, youve just got to question, was it worth it . And for me, at the moment, for many of my friends messaging me, i dont think it was. A Minutes Silence is held for the five victims of the plymouth shooting. And double jabbed people in England And Northern ireland will no longer have to isolate if theyve come into contact with someone with covid. The taliban have seized control of afghanistan and declared the War Over, after their forces swept into the capital, kabul unopposed. The takeover of the capital has triggered panic as people desperately try to leave. There are scenes of chaos at the international airport. This video shows an american Air Force Transport plane moving towards the runway to take off with dozens of people running alongside it, and some even climbing onto the side of the aircraft. A little ealier, we received this footage of people are trying to get onto another plane, climbing up to force their way onto the boarding walkway. All commerical flights have been suspended. Western countries are evacuating their staff and some other individuals. There have also been reports of gunshots near the airport. You can also hear guns being fired on this video, but its not clear if they were being aimed at anyone. Eyewitnesses have told the bbc that at least two people have died at the airport, but it is not known whether they were killed by gunfire, or by a crush of people. Defence secretary Ben Wallace says 300 people have been evacuated so far. These pictures are of british nationals arriving back in the uk last night. A further 1,500 are waiting to depart in the next few days. Meanwhile these pictures show taliban fighters, carrying their weapons, on the streets of kabul� s Green Zone, the area which housed foreign embassies. It was one of the most closely guarded areas in afghanistan untiljust a few hours ago. As you can see, there are no Security Forces in evidence. The international community is now calling on the taliban to ensure the protection of life and property. We begin our coverage with this report from Graham Satchell. On board a plane due to leave kabul overnight. But at the last minute theyre told the Flight Wont be going. Passengers are forced to rejoin the chaos outside. There is Panic And Fear everywhere. For 20 years, afghanistan has had stability, democracy and relative safety. It has all ended in a matter of days. A lucky few have made it out. This is Delhi Airport and a mix of relief, anger and despair. I cant believe the world abandoned afghanistan. Our friends are going to get killed. Theyre going to kill us. Our women are not going to have any more rights. The taliban, forced from power by western troops two decades ago, are back. They claim to have taken over every government department, including this, the president ial palace in kabul. Just hours earlier the former president , Ashraf Ghani, at the same desk. Hes now fled to uzbekistan. In a statement, he said he has left to avoid bloodshed. Kabul is a city on the move, residents desperate to escape. Fear of what is to come has gripped every level of society, including former government ministers. Deep down in my heart i keep telling myself i wont have to pay the price forjoining a government position. But now i might, i might face consequences that i never even dreamed of, and i guess that the price that we pay for trying to make this world a little better than when we came to it, particularly afghanistan. British troops have now arrived in kabul to evacuate Uk Nationals and afghans who worked with them. Its thought around 4000 in total are eligible to be airlifted out. Criticism of the chaos now engulfing afghanistan is widespread. Parliament will be recalled on wednesday to debate the crisis. A protest outside the White House in washington. America has long argued its troops couldnt stay in afghanistan forever, and public opinion supports troop withdrawal. But serious questions are now being asked. Why was so much money spent, so many military lives lost, to simply allow the taliban to walk back into power . The Air Over Kabul is full of helicopters as diplomats and Embassy Staff make their escape. On the ground the people wait with growing fear. It was not meant to end like this. Graham satchell, Bbc News. Lets get more now on the situation on the ground in kabul, and the chaos at the airport as people to try and escape the capital. Charlie faulkner is a british freelancejournalist based in kabul, and says the situation is out of control. I have just been speaking to somebody who was there. He was saying that he saw a young girl get crushed to death because of this utter panic that has been unfolding there. There was rumours of a taliban attack of the airport, and then, there were some videos surfacing on Social Media, showing people getting onto military flights without documentation, without the same level of documentation you need for commercialflights. So, people started forcing their way onto flights, onto aeroplanes on the tarmac. They have since managed to calm the situation down. But there are still thousands of people. What has been interesting is we still see women coming out coming out and about, not wearing a burqa and not being accompanied by male relatives, which are the expectations of what they are going to be facing now that the taliban are taking over power because that is what we have seen in other provinces and thats certainly how things were operating when the taliban were in power before. Lets hear now from the taliban. Their spokesman, suhail shaheen, has been speaking to Bbc News. So, priority now is to maintain security and to ensure that the property of the people is secure and their honour is not harmed and their lives are safe. That is our priority now. Taliban leaders have promised to protect womens rights, but there are fears they could reintroduce the strict Sharia Law they previously imposed. Pashtana durrani is teacher and human Rights Activist whos speaking to us from an undisclosed location in afghanistan. See, for starters, you have to understand that what they say and what they are putting in practice, they are two different things. Girls in herat were not even able to go to their universities and girls in other areas were asked to go home and their male relatives were asked to fill in for their positions in the bank. So, what they are saying, of course, they are looking for legitimacy from all of these different countries to be accepted as the legitimate government of afghanistan, but then at the same time, what they are doing in practice, either they dont have control of their foot soldiers or they really want the legitimacy but they are not willing to do the work. Those are two different things. Every time they talk about women, they are being very vague about it. What sort of womens rights are we talking about . The mobility rights, the socialising rights, their political rights, the Representative Rights are all of these acceptable to you or are a few accepted by you . At the same time, what about Women Representation . How are women going to talk to the Taliban Government . Why arent there any women in your government to talk to afghan women . And apart from that, educational rights. If afghan girls are going to go to school, can they continue with their educational curriculum, the same educational curriculum, or are they talking aboutjust islamic studies that every afghan does anyway . So, its the lot of different, vague and confusing is coming from them but they dont have any solid plan or they havent set it up until now, so i wouldnt trust them on this one. Somebody has to speak up. Somebody has to speak up because its time that they understand that afghan women will not be silenced. Today, its my education, tomorrow it is going to be my Daughters Education and my sisters education. My political rights are right now taken away from me, tomorrow, its going to be my daughters, my sisters. The next generations rights, so of course, i have to put up a Fight Today, so that the next generation doesnt have to face all of this conflict. The Ministry Of Defence has released these images of some british nationals arriving back in the uk from kabul last night. The military Transport Plane landed at Raf Brize Norton in oxfordshire. We can talk now to our political correspondentjonathan blake. So, jonathan. Bring us right up to date with what the government is saying about the efforts to get more british nationals and indeed afghans who have worked for the british here to the uk . The who have worked for the british here to the uk . , who have worked for the british here to the uk . ,. ,. ,. , to the uk . The latest information we have was given to the uk . The latest information we have was given by to the uk . The latest information we have was given by the to the uk . The latest information we have was given by the defence have was given by the Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, this morning, who confirmed that around 300 british nationals have been flown home from Kabul Yesterday and they hope to bring home many hundreds more over the next 2a to 36 hours. The estimates are something in the region of 4000 people, both british nationals and afghans, who have either volunteered or worked for the uk during their president s in afghanistan and they need to be repatriated or brought to the uk, and despite the desperate scenes that we have seen from some of the footage coming out of Kabul Airport, we are sure that the military side of the airport remains secure. There is an issue not with the capacity of raf planes which are bringing people back but the processing of individuals, who are there and trying to get on board those aircrafts. That at the moment is where things are not perhaps proceeding as quickly as they might do. The Defence Secretary said this morning but he is trying to remove some of the barriers that remain in place to people getting back. That has nevertheless been the focus of the governments efforts and the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace speaking on the radio this morning talked in emotional terms about his response to what he had seen. Some people wont get back and we will have some people wont get back and we will have to do our best to process those will have to do our best to process those people. Why will have to do our best to process these maple will have to do our best to process those people. Why do you feel it so personally. Those people. Why do you feel it so personally. Mr those people. Why do you feel it so personally, Mr Wallace those people. Why do you feel it so personally, Mr Wallace as those people. Why do you feel it so personally, Mr Wallace as mike personally, Mr Wallace as Mike Murray because it is sad and the west has done what it is done. We have to do what we can to get people out and have to do what we can to get people out and stand by our obligations under out and stand by our obligations under 20 out and stand by our obligations under 20 years of sacrifice is what it is under 20 years of sacrifice is what it is. ,. ,. , under 20 years of sacrifice is what itis. ,. It is. The Defence Secretary Ben Wallace there. It is. The Defence Secretary Ben Wallace there. Clearly it is. The Defence Secretary Ben Wallace there. Clearly impacted j it is. The Defence Secretary ben i wallace there. Clearly impacted by what he has seen and i think that reflects perhaps more broadly, a certain resignation in government that the events of the last few days have shown that the taliban are of course very much in control in afghanistan and there is very little now that the uk or indeed other countries can or perhaps want to do individually or collectively to stop that. The focus turns to what can be done and what the government should be doing to make the best of the situation and on a visit to the west midlands this morning, the Labour Leader said Keir Starmer, set out what he believed the priority should be. The situation in afghanistan is shocking the situation in afghanistan is shocking and is tragic. We are seeing shocking and is tragic. We are seeing before our very eyes the unravelling of 20 years of progress and of unravelling of 20 years of progress and of huge sacrifice and i appreciate the decision to withdraw was not appreciate the decision to withdraw was not the Governments Decision alone was not the Governments Decision alone but was not the Governments Decision alone but i was not the Governments Decision alone but i when the Prime Minister to set alone but i when the Prime Minister to set up alone but i when the Prime Minister to setup alone but i when the Prime Minister to set up to step up to the Plate And Show to set up to step up to the Plate And Show some leadership and some urgency and show some leadership and some urgency. We have got a Council Meeting urgency. We have got a Council Meeting this afternoon, its absolutely clear what the priorities have to absolutely clear what the priorities have to he absolutely clear what the priorities have to be and that is the evacuation of Uk Nationals and eligible evacuation of Uk Nationals and eligible afghans. Its ensuring the process eligible afghans. Its ensuring the process of eligible afghans. Its ensuring the process of safety of all of those that are process of safety of all of those that are remaining there and the insertion that are remaining there and the insertion of Human Rights of everybody in afghanistan, particularly women and girls, and in agreement particularly women and girls, and in agreement about safe and legal Routes Agreement about safe and legal routes for refugees because it is inevitable routes for refugees because it is inevitable that there is going to be a refugee inevitable that there is going to be a Refugee Crisis coming out of this. Isa keir is a Keir Starmer highlighting the potential Refugee Crisis is one of the things that the government needs to respond to in the wake of the events in afghanistan. Parliament has been recalled on wednesday with questions about security implementations and the potential resurgence of alqaeda in afghanistan, and also the further efforts to repatriate and bring people back to the uk but there may well be more mps to discuss because as we have seen over the last couple of days, events in afghanistan have moved incredibly quickly. Of days, events in afghanistan have moved incredibly quickly. Thank you very much. Moved incredibly quickly. Thank you very much, jonathan. Lets speak now with drjack watling, Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the royal united services institute. Thank you forjoining us. Your thoughts first of all on the taliban 2021 versus taliban 2001, when they were. Power, from control of the country . Do you think they are substantially different as an organisation . Substantially different as an orranisation . ,. , � ~ organisation . No, i dont. Ithink there is a organisation . No, i dont. Ithink there is a Consistency Organisation . No, i dont. Ithink there is a consistency in organisation . No, i dont. Ithink there is a consistency in terms i organisation . No, i dont. Ithink there is a consistency in terms of ideology and objectives. There is a lot more maturity perhaps in understanding the international community and what will cross lines and what wont. And so the clamping down on womens rights, the conduct of reprisals and massacres has been certainly happening but it has been happening at a slower pace and more quietly in the follow up to places being taken through negotiation. So, i think it is a more internationally aware taliban. D0 i think it is a more internationally aware taliban. Aware taliban. Do you think for example. Aware taliban. Do you think for example. As aware taliban. Do you think for example, as we aware taliban. Do you think for example, as we see aware taliban. Do you think for example, as we see the aware taliban. Do you think for| example, as we see the scenes aware taliban. Do you think for i example, as we see the scenes of panic at Kabul Airport, that the taliban may say, anyone who wants to leave may be allowed to leave . I leave may be allowed to leave . I think its very difficult to judge. We also need to recognise that the taliban themselves probably didnt expect things to happen quite as quickly as it has, in so how well they can exert control in the areas that they have onlyjust they can exert control in the areas that they have only just taken they can exert control in the areas that they have onlyjust taken will be limited. There are a lot of people in kabul who are displaced and i dont think the taliban will be prioritising stopping that movement until they know what they want to do with people that we are already getting reports that they are going house to house searching for key officials and the people that they either detain or otherwise find. We will see what they do with those individuals when they find them. ,. ,. , them. There were some reports earlier today them. There were some reports earlier today quoting them. There were some reports earlier today quoting china, them. There were some reports i earlier today quoting china, saying that it was ready for a friendly relationship with the taliban. I dont know if you have heard of those reports as well. In what way do you see new relationship developing between china and the taliban and others potentially and the rest of the world . Do you see a new axis, a you split . New axis, a you split . China is exceedingly new axis, a you split . China is exceedingly pragmatic new axis, a you split . China is exceedingly pragmatic and i i new axis, a you split . China is i exceedingly pragmatic and i think they are already reaching out and engaging diplomatically. They dont want problems on the border and the other element of this is that the taliban have a close relation with Pakistan And China once a strategic relations with pakistan, which it has and is expanding upon. Therefore, i think china will look to maintain good relations, Gain Access to resources and other things in afghanistan and avoid coming into conflict with the taliban. 50. Conflict with the taliban. So, Lookin Conflict with the taliban. So, looking ahead conflict with the taliban. So, looking ahead in conflict with the taliban. 50, looking ahead in the short term and the immediate term, what kind of influence do you think the west might have in this part of the world, orwill the might have in this part of the world, or will the effort . Intern; world, or will the effort . Very negligible world, or will the effort . Very negligible. 0ur world, or will the effort . Very negligible. Our access world, or will the effort . Very negligible. Our access to world, orwillthe effort . Negligible. Our access to kabul will be on the talibans terms and therefore we will have to make a decision about how we want to move a into the country that might aid into the country. Unlike in the 1990s, when the taliban were isolated, today they have reasonable relationships with iran and they are building relationships with china and they have strong relations with pakistan, so it will be difficult to isolate them in the international community to the extent that was achieved in the 19905. Community to the extent that was achieved in the 1990s. Achieved in the 1990s. Thank you very much kabul was the last major city in afghanistan to hold out against a taliban offensive that began months ago but accelerated in recent days. Here are the key moments over the last few weeks and months. On the 14th of April President biden announced that american troops would withdraw from the country by september the 11th. The following month the taliban launched a major offensive in Helmand Province and targeted at least six other provinces. Early injuly american troops abandoned their main military base in afghanistan at Bagram Air base in the middle of the night. In August Zaranj became the first provincial capital to fall to the taliban. Followed by several more including kunduz in the north. On the 13th of August Kandahar a taliban stronghold was taken by the insurgents along with three other provincial capitals, including herat. The following day the taliban seized mazar i sharif while the united states scrambled troops to evacuate its civilians from kabul. And early in sunday the taliban took the key eastern City Ofjalalabad and president Ashraf Ghani fled the country as the militants entered kabul. Lets talk to our Security Correspondent, frank gardner. Just before we talk about what happened right now, as we look at that time line, do you think it was inevitable that we are where we are today that what has happened, the pace accelerating over the last couple of weeks, did not have to happen in that way . Ida. Couple of weeks, did not have to happen in that way . Happen in that way . No, it was entirely avoidable. Happen in that way . No, it was entirely avoidable. Us happen in that way . No, it was entirely avoidable. Us military| entirely avoidable. Us military chiefs and others try to advise President Biden that he just needed to keep a minimum of 2500 or 3500 troops there as back up for the afghan national Security Forces really as a deterrent to stop the taliban doing exactly what they just have them. Its not that the us were leaving, is the manner in which they left. Once the us announced they were leaving, there was no longer any incentive for the taliban to keep making any concessions and to peace talks. They had as you heard from their spokesman, they had prepared for this very well. There was this myth that for years the Afghan National Army had been built up Afghan National Army had been built up and been trained and given equipment that would make it a cohesive national force, equipment that would make it a cohesive nationalforce, sadly that isnt the case. On the plus side, a taliban victory will bring a former security. Afghanistan has not enjoyed Peace And Security. It has enjoyed Peace And Security. It has enjoyed many freedoms, democratic freedom, freedoms of the press but it hasnt been a very secure country. That has been the failure of the 20 year western present. I5 of the 20 year western present. Is the Peace And Security at what price . Is at the sort of Peace And Security, and im using those words in inverted commas, but people, ordinary afghans actually once . Well, this is the big question. We dont know yet how they are going to rule. One senior british general said to me rather optimistically, i think they will have learned from their mistakes, they will have seen how popular the overthrow of the taliban were in 2001 and they wont make the same mistakes again. Reports coming in from the countryside to quite the opposite, that there are Revenge Murder is going on and horrific stories of mutilations and things. I think it will take taliban a bit of time to get a grip on the country. They may face some sort of insurgency from isis, the islamic state group, who dont like the taliban. Alqaeda like the Taliban But Isis dont. They do have a presence there. They may even become the new insurgents in that country, taking out a tax on the taliban. The big question is whether or not alqaeda is able to re establish a presence that it was able to do in the late 90s that led to the 9 11 attacks. I think it will be made very clear to the taliban rulers, the new incoming government that if they shelter alanda, and prescribe to terrorist groups, they can expect to be attacked and they will not get international recognition from the west. They will get it from some countries but not from the rest of the world. The taliban may choose to be quite pragmatic. Its extraordinary to think its a in the light 90s there were taliban representatives travelling to texas. So, they may possibly be more pragmatic than is feared but we have only got to look at the scenes in Kabul Airport to see what thousands of afghans think about the possibility of rule under the taliban. I about the possibility of rule under the taliban about the possibility of rule under the taliban. ,. ,. ,. The taliban. I ust wonder how much ofthe the taliban. I just wonder how much of the disconnect the taliban. I just wonder how much of the disconnect there the taliban. I just wonder how much of the disconnect there is the taliban. I just wonder how much of the disconnect there is between l of the disconnect there is between what we are hearing from doha, what has been said by spokesmen from the taliban about womens rights, the safety of ngos left in the countries, charities and so forth, and what is actually happening on the ground based on the reports that we have been hearing. All these events are outliers to the taliban thinking or is it more in keeping with the taliban thinking . I would sa there with the taliban thinking . I would say there is with the taliban thinking . I would say there is a with the taliban thinking . I would say there is a complete with the taliban thinking . I would | say there is a complete disconnect with what i call the front of house, the various smooth talking spokespeople who have been doing this job spokespeople who have been doing thisjob in some spokespeople who have been doing this job in some cases for over a decade, they know exactly what people want to hear and the rest of the world, the negotiators, the taliban negotiators have been living a very comfortable life in doha travelling around the air conditioned shopping malls having a taste of the good life but then in rural parts of afghanistan nothing has changed and some of their people and some of the jihadis that have. Alongside them that have fought alongside them and they will be expecting girls to get married after their fighters and down at a horrifically early age. We may not see this in kabul but it will be in the provinces. See this in kabul but it will be in the rovinces. , ~ ,. Joining me now is the afghan journalist bilal sawary, whos in kabul. Thank you so much forjoining us. What is the latest that you are hearing about what the city is like, what the situation is at the airport, where we have seen there is absolutely desperate scenes of people trying to get onto aircraft . Well on one side of the city, the taliban are trying to collect weapons in armed vehicles, the vehicles from firmer government former government officials and in return the taliban are giving them a letter confirming that they have been seized. They are saying that these belong to public property. We also know that the taliban have been able to reactivate the radio communications between the Police Headquarters and the stations around the city, so their focus is now to make sure that there is no looting and no chaos and they have walked up to afghanistans biggest television statement. Station. They said that they would protect the Television Station as well. Some said that the tone was very polite at least for now but on the other side of the city, inside the international airport, we have seen very chaotic and tragic scenes of thousands of people, including women and children trying to get on the plane. They are being fired at by the american soldiers who are responsible for the protection of the airport. The americans have taken control of what would usually be a walk straight up to the terminal, so it looks like. On the outside, the people fearing the taliban is where the taliban are, so its an incredibly painful and tragic and heartbreaking reality for afghans who feel like they have been let down by the international community and their own government, the former president who fled without even telling his own cabinet first. I think it is the feeling of helplessness, is the feeling of survival and that these people are taking extreme measures. Several eyewitnesses that i have been able to talk to, including a family, who were working with the americans in the past have told me that some afghans have managed to hide themselves inside the Gearing Line of a very big us plane and they both fell, they died instantly when the plane was taking off. So you can imagine this is afghanistans virgin of Saigon Version of saigon. At the same time, the taliban continue publicly to reassure everyone that they will not harm anyone and there will be no retribution is people will be no retribution is people will be no retribution is people will be looking back to 2001 and wondering how much value they can set by those assurances by the taliban. ,. ,. , taliban. There is that question is our security taliban. There is that question is our Security Correspondent taliban. There is that question is our Security Correspondent was i our Security Correspondent was talking about a moment ago, that there is a difference between what we are hearing from doha and what is happening notjust in kabul but around the country. What are your thoughts on that . The around the country. What are your thoughts on that . Thoughts on that . The world is watchin thoughts on that . The world is watching the thoughts on that . The world is watching the taliban. Thoughts on that . The world is watching the taliban. How thoughts on that . The world is watching the taliban. How the | watching the taliban. How the transition from a Fighting False into governance. We have to remember, until yesterday, the taliban were a shadow government. Today, they are not. They are in control of the entire country and international airports and we will have to see as frank rightly said, how much connection there is between the political leadership and the military commanders on the ground. Who could we see from the taliban political leadership in kabul . What kind of a government could be formed from here on . But the city is calmer otherwise, the country is calm. Even a week ago, you would have had in every 2a hours dozens of deadly attacks. You would have had air strikes. That has not happened. Some afghans who came to kabul fleeing the areas have returned to their villages because they think they feel safer. So lets see how events unfold because the pace of events has been really rapid and confusing and it is really hard to keep up with it. Do you think that the taliban will protect womens rights and what does does it mean all women and young girls can go into education and women can have work and have roles in society . I women can have work and have roles in socie . , women can have work and have roles in socie . ,. ,. , in society . I covered the fall of the taliban in society . I covered the fall of the taliban in in society . I covered the fall of the taliban in 2001 in society . I covered the fall of the taliban in 2001 when in society . I covered the fall of the taliban in 2001 when i in society . I covered the fall of. The taliban in 2001 when i started working as translator and i remember the us bombing against the taliban at the time and i remember how the government was toppled by the americans. It was a different country. Today this is a country with social transformation, you have millions of afghans with access to mobile phones, Social Media apps, internet. This is a very young country, this is a very different city to which the taliban are coming back and perhaps a new generation of taliban fighters, people want atm machines with cash, people want the banks to operate, people want these massive businesses to be protected with hundreds of millions of Dollars Worth of investments. The Shopping And Construction business, many of these things, ill have to see how these things, ill have to see how the taliban make that transition including the important issue of Womens Education because those issues will surely be closely watched by the taliban because of international legitimacy and funding, how do you run a government without international funding, funding, how do you run a government without internationalfunding, how without international funding, how can without internationalfunding, how can you basically run the day to day affairs so we will have to wait and hear more and wait for more clarity on what type of taliban we are looking at is a government. Does the taliban in your looking at is a government. Does the taliban in your opinion looking at is a government. Does the taliban in your Opinion Care looking at is a government. Does the taliban in your Opinion Care about i taliban in your Opinion Care about establishing links with the west, some western countries, if it has the backing for example of china which is said apparently that it is looking forward to a friendly relationship with the taliban . The taliban have relationship with the taliban . Tue taliban have had ample Amounts Relationship with the taliban . Tue taliban have had ample amounts of exposure in their Doha Office to the international community and western governments and at the highest echelons of these governments they will have contacts such as secretary of states and other ambassadors and envoys. We get a sense from the taliban statements and the public and private positions yes, they do. You want to basically run the country as a new taliban and they want to have ties with the world but how do the corp with certain issues, Womens Education, Girls Education Freedom of press . We will have to see because those issues are real, for the taliban and afghan people and the international community thoseissues and the international community those issues are real. Istale and the international community those issues are real. And the international community those issues are real. We are ust heanna those issues are real. We are ust hearing that fl those issues are real. We are ust hearing that the i those issues are real. We are ust hearing that the prime i those issues are real. We are just hearing that the Prime Minister i those issues are real. We are just L Hearing that the Prime Minister will be chairing a corporate meeting on afghanistan beginning right now stop plans for wider asylum and any eligibility to the Resettlement Scheme will be decided in the next few cobra. Days. Its a cool day with a chilly north western breeze and the best of the sunshine has been in the north of scotland and we should see sunshine heading to the North Eastern parts of england. Still some Drizzle And Temperature struggling to 19 or 20 degrees at best. More cloud and western areas and still some darkness in the air as we head to this evening. Overnight that cloud pushes east with Cloud Thickening to bring pockets of Rain And Drizzle down and some Mist Fog over hills and the west. Much milder than last night in the North East of scotland but tuesday looks like another cloudy and cool sort of day. Rain and drizzle will head south and east across england, the worst of it pleading but leaving some dull and damp weather around. It may brighten up damp weather around. It may brighten up a bit across the West Country and parts of scotland but a cool and breezy day with temperatures at 17 degrees to 20 celsius. Hello, this is Bbc News with annita mcveigh. The headlines desperate scenes at Kabul Airport as hundreds try to leave afghanistan following the taliban takeover of the capital. Its sparked the closure of western embassies, with the taliban now in control of kabul� s Green Zone. British troops continue to evacuate people from the country, but the Defence Secretary warns that some will be left behind. A Minutes Silence is held for the five victims of the plymouth shooting. And double jabbed people in England And Northern ireland will no longer have to isolate if theyve come into contact with someone with covid. A Minutes Silence has been held across plymouth to commemorate the lives of 5 people killed in thursdays Mass Shooting. People gathered at the guildhall and at the nearby market to pay their respects to the victims maxine davison, Stephen Washington, Kate Shepherd, Lee Martyn and his three year old daughter Sophie Martyn. The Lord Mayor of plymouth, Terri Beer thanked Everyone Whod shown support for the city. To the people of plymouth, you have shown your support and in some of the darkest days, you have reminded us that you are not alone. It really is plymouth together. This solidarity as a city is what makes us great and although it is just two simple words, demeaning mean so much to now the meaning means so much to us now. Thank you. Our correspondent Sarah Ransome is in plymouth for us, at biddick drive, where those events unfolded last week. And the mayor saying that people were standing together in dark times. The community is deeply shocked by what happened there but a real sense of Community Spirit prevailing today, one which they are determined will see them through this. Absolutely, this is a day of reflection and of commemoration and but even here, people have come, they have paid their respects and during that Minutes Silence, there was a sombre moment. I saw one person in particular Wiping A Tearfrom their eyes. They have come to lay flowers, the roadside here is festooned with floral tributes and toys for the Little Girl. One Little Girl told me this morning that she wanted to bring a couple of her own toys that she wanted sophie to be able to play with. There is a real sense of Community Spirit here. It is a community that is broken but it is a community that we have been hearing from as you say, the Lord Mayor and the chair of the community and Neighbourhood Watch talking about how they would pull together and as a community they would grow stronger and support Each Other through these difficult times. From today, people in England And Northern Ireland Whove received two doses of Coronavirus Vaccine will no longer have to automatically self isolate if they come into contact with someone who has covid 19. The changes to the way the nhs Covid App works which have already been implemented in wales and scotland should significantly reduce the number of people being compelled to stay at home. Our business correspondent, Emma Simpson reports. Here is a place that should be doing a Roaring Trade with afternoon teas, but this hotel in Sutton Coldfield has had to scale back as its staff keep getting pinged. But this hotel in Sutton Coldfield has had to scale back as its staff keep getting pinged. Well, normally this restaurant would be buzzing at lunchtime but we had to close it. We have had to close our fine dining restaurant. We have closed all our Food Outlets during the day. A business trying to keep the plates spinning in the midst of a staycation boom. We found ourselves, a week last sunday, with virtually no kitchen staff. Everybody was having to self isolate. We went down from probably 10 12 chefs down to two. I suppose Today Cant come soon enough. Absolutely, it cant come soon enough. You know, it will make such a huge difference. At one point, more than half A Million people were getting pinged a week, causing huge disruption for all sorts of businesses. But with three quarters of adults fullyjabbed, the government says now is the right time to relax the rules, another huge step back to normality. From today, people in England And Northern ireland who are fully vaccinated no longer have to self isolate if they come into close contact with a positive case. Instead, you will be advised to take a Pcr Test. If it is positive, you will still have to isolate for ten days. Even though they are not vaccinated, the new rules will also apply to under 18s. Scotland and wales have already made similar changes. Back at the hotel, guests have also had to self isolate. Jade was due to come to a Family Wedding with her husband and two kids. We had already booked the room, the outfits, everything was ready and waiting to go, because we have missed out on so many Family Celebrations since all the covid, and we missed, had to miss out on seeing all ourfamily but at long last, these covid restrictions are finally easing, and many will drink to that. Emma simpson, Bbc News, Sutton Coldfield. Im joined now by Professor Adam Finn from Thejoint Committee on vaccination and immunisation. Thank you very much for your time today. Is this the right time for the introduction of this given where we are with cases and with the fact that more than 76 of Uk Adults have no received both doses of the vaccination . Its a continuing Balancing Act and its a continuing Balancing Act and i think clearly it sit disrupted a lot of people with the number of people being pinged over the last month but that reflects the fact that there is a lot of infection around and i think this is an attempt to try to redress the balance so we dont have so many people sheltering at home who probably dont need to be and at the same time dont abuse control of the situation by having people might lose control of the situation by having people infected and passing it on. The reason is that there is a lot of infection and it is important to have a test if you have been exposed so you are sure you will not infect other people at work. I exposed so you are sure you will not infect other people at work. Infect other people at work. I guess she would ask infect other people at work. I guess she would ask people infect other people at work. I guess she would ask people to infect other people at work. I guess she would ask people to use i infect other people at work. I guess she would ask people to use a i infect other people at work. I guess she would ask people to use a good dose of common sense and all of this. For example of someone in your Household Test positive perhaps you need to exercise more caution and see if youve been in contact with someone who has tested positive but only for a brief period . Mark thanif only for a brief period . Mark than if you have been in contact with someone. Ii than if you have been in contact with someone. Than if you have been in contact with someone. If you have been exosed with someone. If you have been exposed indoors with someone. If you have been exposed indoors the with someone. If you have been exposed indoors the rest i with someone. If you have been exposed indoors the rest of i with someone. If you have been exposed indoors the rest of you | exposed indoors the rest of you getting infected even if you have had vaccination are substantial whereas if you have got pinged and are really not conscious of being in close contact with anyone you may be less at risk but is still important to get the test done because you never know and we are seeing people getting this infection, even people who have been vaccinated. Istale getting this infection, even people who have been vaccinated. Who have been vaccinated. We are talkin who have been vaccinated. We are talking about who have been vaccinated. We are talking about pcr who have been vaccinated. We are talking about Pcr Tests talking about Pcr Tests specifically. It talking about Pcr Tests specifically. Talking about Pcr Tests secificall. ,. ,. Specifically. It is a diagnostic test and very specifically. It is a diagnostic test and very sensitive i specifically. It is a diagnostic test and very sensitive and l specifically. It is a diagnostic. Test and very sensitive and will pick up the virus accurately and the lateral Floor Test are an Infectiousness Test so they are likely to pick up if you have a lot of buyers and are likely to be infectious of people but if you really want to know if you have an infection or not with a high level of confidence the Pcr Test of the one to get. 50 of confidence the Pcr Test of the one to get one to get. So it is about public sirit one to get. So it is about public spirit and one to get. So it is about public spirit and doing one to get. So it is about public spirit and doing the one to get. So it is about public spirit and doing the right i one to get. So it is about public spirit and doing the right thing | one to get. So it is about public. Spirit and doing the right thing for your Community And Family and i guess youre hoping people will do this and not feel it is the summer and i am outdoors quite a lot and be and i am outdoors quite a lot and be a bit lax about the whole subject . I think it is important people understand what they are being asked to do. The british public have been pretty remarkable over the past year and a half in terms of complying with requests to do things that are often for the benefit of others rather themselves but they do need to understand what are being asked to understand what are being asked to do and explain why an order to follow these instructions right. It very much as it all over and were still in this together and still need to make an effort. We have seen on afghanistan what happens when everyone stops trying and you get a pretty rapidly so for the covid we are fighting we all need to make an effort and try to reduce the spread of Infection Right on until the end of Infection Right on until the end of the year. 55 of Infection Right on until the end of the year of the year. As you say it is very important of the year. As you say it is very important everybody of the year. As you say it is very important everybody is of the year. As you say it is very i important everybody is absolutely clear what they have to do so in your words how would you sum up the rule Changes Today and the situations in which people need to actually go and get a test . I situations in which people need to actually go and get a test . Actually go and get a test . I think i would summarise actually go and get a test . I think i would summarise it actually go and get a test . I think i would summarise it by actually go and get a test . I think i would summarise it by saying i actually go and get a test . I think| i would summarise it by saying the infection is still very much around and that is why we are seeing between 20 and 30,000 cases a day and that is an underestimate, the positive test seeing, there will be more cases than out so we Cant Drop our guard but we need to try to get back towards normality. If you have been fully vaccinated please use the up been fully vaccinated please use the up and if youre pinged please get a test and please, everyone tyou a vaccine, get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccine, get vaccinated as soon as ossible. , , , , possible. Everyone who is due to have a vaccine. A Bbc Investigation has found that hospitals across england have taken part in emergency exercises in case of a Roof Collapse caused by ageing concrete. Seven hospitals were built using a low quality, lightweight concrete and one of them is now limiting operations on heavier patients in case the floor gives way. Our correspondent Nikki Fox has this exclusive report. Steel posts holding up the roof on a childrens ward, on a maternity unit, where mothers lie with new babies. Seven hospitals in england, all constructed with a type of lightweight concrete. But it is failing and all need to be rebuilt. So we are currently on one of our service corridors. What you can see above you is a latticework of structural timbers. Should a plank fall, they will cradle them and support them. The West Suffolk Hospital was built with concrete rack planks. They were never meant to last and are 15 years beyond their expected lifespan. The Trusts Risk Assessment is clear without the safety measures, the threat of planks failing is immediate. But they will take two years to install, so they have commissioned a corporate Manslaughter Report in Case Anything goes wrong. The situation we are facing, it is unprecedented. Why would you describe it as being unprecedented . No one is clear the way in which this structure will perform as it gets to that kind of age. Documents obtained by bbc look east show last year, trusts in the east took part in exercise hodges. It simulated a scenario in which part of the hospital collapsed because of concrete planks failing. At west suffolk, all the external walls are made of rack. The technical briefing states that now, nearly all of the wall planks have some corrosion, with a risk of severe corrosion in two thirds. And how much do these planks weigh . Broadly, they are about a third of a tonne. So that is why it is so important to make sure that this support is in place . It is, yes. A new West Suffolk Hospital could be nine years away. Seven hospitals across the country need rebuilding because of crumbling concrete. Airedale in West Yorkshire has no guarantee of funding. Nor does hinchingbrooke in cambridgeshire, where the ageing building is causing major issues. The concrete panelling is also affecting the load bearing on some of the floors, which means that patients heavier than 19 Stone Cant be operated on in some of the theatres. Shutting some of the hospitals to do the repairs quicker was considered. If we were to close a hospital then the burden would fall on those neighbouring hospitals and the nhs as a whole is going through a time when we are extremely busy. Thousands of emergency beds would be lost if all seven hospitals closed for repairs. Nhs england says trusts are maintaining a safe service for patients, who should access Hospital Care as they normally would. Nikki fox, Bbc News. Lets go back to our main News Today and the taliban seizing control of afghanistan, after sweeping into the capital, kabul. Jack cummings is a former Bomb Disposal Specialist with the 101 engineer regiment. Hes tweeted was it worth it, probably not. Did i lose my legs for nothing, looks like it. Did my mates die in vain. Yep. Many emotions going through my head, anger, Betrayal Sadness to name a few. He told my colleague Victoria Derbyshire why he had to express his feelings. Saturday was actually my anniversary of getting blown up, squaddies call it bangerversary, and normally for me and my wife, its very sombre and we keep ourselves to ourselves, quite quiet people. We will go out for a few drinks and we reminisce about times in hospital, time is going through rehabilitation times going through rehabilitation and its a way for me and my wife to heal and come together but seeing the past week, the past couple of days, whats going on in afghanistan, ifelt like i had to put my 2p in and express my views, just the anger, the betrayal, the sadness of what ive sacrificed and ive lost, what my friends have sacrificed, their Mental Health right now, what they must be going through. I needed to vent, basically. And i know Social Media can he sometimes good, sometimes bad but for myself, i needed to let out a bit of anger, basically. When you wrote, did i lose my legs for nothing . Probably. Did my mates die in vain . Yes. You mean it. Totally, unfortunately, as bad as it sounds. I honestly thought being out there, i was doing good, i was so proud to serve in the british army, my dad was a squaddie before me for 42 years, in the british army, i was always headed for the military and im not slating it one bit, i had a brilliant time in the military and would do it all over again in a Heartbeat Butjust seeing the sacrifices we have made as british soldiers, for itjust to go Up In Smoke, in a couple of weeks, you have just got to question was it worth it . And for me, at the moment, for many of my friends messaging me, i dont think it was. Who is your anger directed towards . I think it was just a general outcry, just to vent it, i know i tagged the Prime Minister and the president of the united states, dont get me wrong, there is no easy answer how to withdraw from a country, i am not naive enough to think we could have stayed there forever, we have no right, we were helping and train their military. Which i know many british soldiers took part in training up the afghans, i knew we could not stay there forever but its just, just to see how easily it collapsed, it should not have happened like that, surely, it should not have happened like that . Tell me about the friends that you lost. On my second tour we lost two great guys. Corporaljamie kirkpatrick, kp, and one of our operators, Staff Sergeant Brent lindley. Before coronavirus, jamie was from wales, outside swansea, his mates would go down and civvy mates and we would do some crazy events, raise money for charity like a raft race, game of rugby, football. That was a way for us as a squadron to get back together and heal and reminisce and Mend Wounds and at the same time raise a few quid for charity. And brett was our operator, the bravest of the brave, one of the guys who would go in and disarm the bombs, as you know, the main weapons of choice the taliban was the Pressure Plate. Myjob was to go and find them and brettsjob was to go and dismantle them, get rid of them. He was our operator and unfortunately paid the ultimate sacrifice. Bretts mother has messaged me a few times and i cannot imagine what both families are going through at the moment. Do you believe. It was over a50 people including your two friends that you have just told us about, do you believe they alldied in vain . I hope they didnt, i hope something comes out of this. For 20 years, obviously, we were there. I hope they had peace for a little bit of time, i have had people tweeting saying it wasnt for nothing, young girls were getting educated. All that kind of thing. Me, at the moment, im quite low, and quite low. Quite low, im quite low. Im normally quite a positive person since getting injured. Seeing where i have been from and what happened to me, i should not be alive, i was told that by many doctors. Ive always been really positive because of that. Seeing whats happening over there. Im just questioning it. For me, im quite mentally strong, when i first went to headley court, i spent a year with the Mental Health team, talking about the future, everything that comes with that, ive got a good outlook on life because i should not be here. I cannot imagine what some of my friends, the guys i served with, guys who are still in, still serving, what they must be going through, looking at what has happened over there. All i can say, if you are struggling, speak to someone, family or friends, there is some brilliant charities out there, more than happy to help you. Im sat at home now, my fight is over as i said in my tweet, and all i can do this was all of the best to the 600 paratroopers that have gone out and i hope they come home safe and sound. You said you feel low, thats unusual for you, you talked about the Mental Health of others who have served in afghanistan, trying to make lives there better. Are you talking about guilt . Is that what you are referring to . People might feel guilty when they look at how afghanistan has fallen to the taliban so swiftly . To a degree. I have always felt guilty what happened to me, when i got injured, i was in and out of consciousness, i dont actually remember the day but i have always had guilt because the guys on my team will probably remember that day for the rest of their lives and what happened to me. The things they saw with me. I have always got a little bit of guilt in the back of my mind and im sure many other squaddies and veterans have the same thing. They are there to do a job, we signed on the dotted line, we knew what we signed up for and im not taking that away, i loved my time in the military. Incredible career that was cut too soon. But there will always be guilt, thats just me, my incident. That will stay with me. I understand. Finally, can i ask you what your message is to the us president , Joe Biden and the british Prime Minister, borisjohnson . As i said in my tweet, was it worth it . For me, looking on recent events, i dont think it was. Can they go face to face, with a grieving mum, grieving wife, grieving husband, i dont think they can and say, we got something out of it. As i said earlier, there was no easy way to withdraw from afghanistan. I have just got to sit back and be positive and crack on with life. That is way above my pay grade. I Cant Question their withdrawal, how it went, all i can do is wish the 600 paras the best and i hope they come home safe and sound. Thank you very much for talking to us, we really appreciate your time. Thank you. It will be a quiet week ahead and not very warm with a lot of cloud and Rain And Drizzle from time to time as well. This sort of sky has been fairly typical across the uk today. We have seen some sunshine, the best across eastern areas of scotland. Even here it doesnt feel particularly warm because of the north westerly wind. That should mean more sunshine heading southwards across the eastern parts of england but some patchy drizzle heading towards the midlands towards the south east. That will peter out later on and Temperature Struggle up to 19 or 20 degrees at best. I was hanging on to more cloud and western areas and a little drizzle as well. That cloud still around this evening pushing east overnight and Cloud Thickening to give pockets of Rain And Drizzle. Some Mist And Fog over the hills in the west. I milder clothe you the night and a much milder night than last night in the North East of scotland. Today and to tomorrow high pressure to the South West never makes it to the uk just yet and its a long Sea Track where the air is coming from and with that sort of Wind Flow will pick up a lot of moisture hence The Cloud. With that wind now and again we will find Weather Fronts bring that wind now and again we will find weatherfronts bring in the rain. That is what we will find Weather Front spring in the rain. That is what were are seeing overnight and into tuesday morning, this rain heading south and east across england and wales. Most of the morning, still leaving cloud and pockets of light Rain And Drizzle here and there. It across the West Country and eastern parts of scotland but generally a cloudy and damp day with temperatures showing little change on tuesday. More of the same into wednesday. We have some locations on the chart for you. You can see how chloe did you can see how cloudy it is and temperature 17 or 18 degrees and sunshine in short supply and a cool breeze around. By Thursday Things look a little different. The winds will not be a strong and we have lower pressure heading into the southwest this time and Weather Fronts to bring rain and across wales and the midlands heading eastwards across southern parts of england on thursday. Forthe southern parts of england on thursday. For the north may be some brightness for a while but we could see a bit of cloud bring some rain and northern parts of scotland and again temperatures are still disappointing for the time of year. Chaos and panic at Kabul Airport, as people try to flee afghanistan now controlled by the taliban. As western countries try to get their staff and nationals out, thousands of local people surged onto the airport runway. The Prime Minister is chairing an Emergency Meeting in downing Street Right as the Defence Secretary says hes worried that not everyone will be able to leave afghanistan. Part of regret for me that some people wont get back. Some people wont get back and we will have to do our best in third countries to process those people. The taliban says its achieved its aim what it calls the freedom of its country. We want an afghan inclusive islamic government