Wiltshire MP Danny Kruger has raised concerns over a secret immigration route that brought thousands of Afghans to the UK – and says some could be criminals.
The MP for Devizes says he has worked closely with the Ministry of Defence, the Home Office and Wiltshire Council since the fall of Kabul in 2021 to ensure the resettlement of Afghan soldiers and interpreters in the county was carried out safely.
He revealed that he has met regularly with government ministers, military leaders, local councils, schools and residents – particularly in Larkhill and Bulford – to discuss the arrival of Afghan families in the Wiltshire.
Mr Kruger said he supports the right of residents to voice concerns over the large number of arrivals, and reiterated that he shares those concerns.
He expressed alarm at a recently uncovered “secret route” used to bring more Afghans to the UK whose names had been leaked, adding that many had no connection to British forces and some were believed to have criminal backgrounds.
“The leak – and the introduction of the secret route – happened under the last Conservative government, but ordinary MPs were kept in the dark about it like everyone else,” he said.
“It is right that Parliament is properly informed about the justification for this secret immigration programme and the reasons for the prolonged secrecy, maintained by both Conservative and Labour ministers.”
Mr Kruger said he has written to the Defence Secretary demanding answers on how many people arrived under the new route and the impact it has had on Army family housing, but has not received a response.
He is inviting residents to share their experiences and opinions at a public meeting in Larkhill on Saturday morning. Those wishing to attend are asked to email [email protected] with their full name and address.
In February, Mr Kruger defended the Afghan resettlement scheme but criticised its impact on local services and communities.
He said Wiltshire had taken a disproportionately high number of Afghan families due to the availability of military housing, which was intended to be temporary.
“I firmly believe that existing communities have a right to complain about the pressure and impact on local schools, on housing, and on the atmosphere and culture of our area,” he said.
Mr Kruger added that most Afghan families are expected to move on from Wiltshire in time, with many preferring to live in urban areas rather than rural settings.
He welcomed a planned reduction in the use of military accommodation and said he would hold ministers to that commitment.
