As the operation to airlift Afghans desperate to flee Taliban rule enters its waning hours, a row has erupted over the evacuation of hundreds of cats and dogs by a former British serviceman.

Amid the scenes of chaos at Kabul airport, Pen Farthing, a former member of the UK’s Royal Marines, managed to secure the help of British forces for his plan to fly out 200 rescue animals on a plane chartered for the purpose. The animals got out on Saturday and are now safely in London, but the Afghan staff of his Nowzad charity group were left behind. ..