Defence Secretary doesn't rule out further UK strikes 1769450605Stjg9vQk
The interpreters who worked on the front line in Helmand Province were handed five-year residence permits in 2014 which must be renewed by the Home Office next year to stay.
The Defence Secretary said that the £2,389 fees should be waived to give them the indefinite right to remain in the UK. He said he would be “amazed” if they were kicked out of Britain, stating they “have every right to be here”.
Mr Williamson said: “We have a personal duty to do the right thing by them and I know that is something that is felt right across government.”
He added: “These are people who have served alongside our armed forces and they have done so much ... so we have made it absolutely clear they should be staying in this country.”
A letter from the interpreters said: “We took great risk because we believed in the integrity of the British Army, only to be let down by politicians who see us as a number and not as people who have sacrificed more for this country than many of its citizens.”
It is understood that an agreement is close between the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office to waive the charges.