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The UK's ambassador to Afghanistan repeatedly warned bosses that the country was on the verge of falling to the Taliban, it was revealed today.
Diplomatic cables show that, despite claims the dramatic collapse was a surprise, Sir Laurie Bristow had been flagging the danger for some time.
However, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab still went on a luxury holiday to Crete - raising questions about whether he ignored the grim assessments or they were not passed on.
The Times laid out details of telegrams from Sir Laurie and his deputy, Alex Pinfield after they were released by the Foreign Office under freedom of information rules.
Diplomatic cables show that, despite claims the dramatic collapse in Afghanistan was a surprise, Sir Laurie Bristow (right) had been flagging the danger for some time. Dominic Raab (left) was on holiday in Crete as the Taliban rout happened
UK military personnel boarding a A400M aircraft departing Kabul at the end of August
Taliban fighters in Kabul in August as they took charge of the capital
Taliban forces walked into Kabul after the abrupt US withdrawal sent the previous government into a tailspin.
It came after 20 years of Western involvement and the loss of 457 British
