The UK Government is 'in negotiations' with the Taliban over three British nationals who are being held hostage, the Home Secretary confirmed. Suella Braverman told Sophy Ridge on Sky News that the UK government would do 'whatever it takes' to ensure the safety of British nationals abroad.
Charity medic Kevin Cornwell, 53, and another British national who manages a hotel for aid workers in the capital Kabul have been detained by the Taliban's secret police since early January.
The other Briton being held is notorious 'danger tourist' Miles Routledge, 23, who boasts to his thousands of followers online that he travels 'to the most dangerous places on Earth for fun'.
He had recently returned to Afghanistan, filming videos shooting guns with Taliban troops, despite having to be evacuated from a 'holiday' in the country in 2021 when the Islamists seized back power.
The UK does not have an embassy or any consulates in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.Suella Braverman told Sophy Ridge on Sky News that the UK government would do 'whatever it takes' to ensure the safety of British nationals abroad
The Home Secretary said: 'Anyone travelling to dangerous parts of the world should take the utmost caution.
'If they are going to do that, they should always act on the advice of the Foreign Office travel advice.
'If there are risks to people's safety, if they're a British citizen abroad, then the UK government is going to do whatever it takes to ensure that they're safe.
'The government is in negotiations and working hard to ensure people's safety is upheld.'
Non-profit organisation the Presidium Network is assisting two of the men, charity medic Kevin Cornwell and a second unnamed man.
Mr Cornwell, a married father from Middlesbrough, was arrested in a raid at his hotel by officers from the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) on January 11.
Taliban agents accused him of having an illegal firearm in the safe in his room at the Darya Village Hotel, which is popular with Western humanitarian staff.
Mr Cornwell's family said he had been granted a licence for the handgun by the Taliban government.
He had been in Afghanistan for 11 months working as a medic for Iqarus International, which provides free health care to local people. Also detained in the raid was the hotel's British manager, whom this newspaper has agreed not to name at the request of his family.
He and Mr Cornwell have been held ever since in a secure unit for foreign nationals run by the GDI. No charges have been brought and they have not been granted legal representation.
The two men's families are being supported by Scott Richards, an experienced negotiator with Presidium Network, a British non-profit organisation that works in conflict zones.