WESTMORLAND and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has called on the Government to offer Afghan interpreters and their families ‘secure refuge in the country’ as the British armed forces begin to withdraw from Afghanistan.

Speaking in questions to the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, Mr Farron said the 600 Afghan interpreters have put themselves and their families at considerable risk by loyally supporting the British security services in Afghanistan, which could lead to greater danger when British forces leave.

He called on Mr Clegg to back the campaign led by Lord Paddy Ashdown to ‘honour the Afghan interpreters’ and offer them asylum in the UK, as was provided to Iraqi interpreters after the end of the Iraq war.

Mr Clegg responded that the Government had a ‘duty of care’ to those who had supported British forces and announced that a ‘very generous package’ would be offered to them including an opportunity to settle in this country to ensure their safety.

Afterwards, Mr Farron said: “These interpreters have risked everything to help our armed forces in Afghanistan and have demonstrated incredible loyalty to the British. Therefore it is absolutely right that we show the same loyalty to them and offer them the opportunity to come and live in Britain if they are unable to stay safely in their own country.

“I’m extremely pleased that Nick Clegg has worked so hard to ensure a strong package of support for the Afghan interpreters as we owe them this protection.”