Tobias Ellwood QUITS from Defence Select Committee after 'Taliban Tourism' video
Tobias Ellwood has been ousted as Defence Select Committee chairman after he lost a vote of no confidence.
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Tobias Ellwood has quit as Defence Select Committee chairman, amid mounting pressure from MPs within the group.
The committee had tabled a vote of no confidence ahead of the summer recess after Ellwood posted a video seemingly praising the Taliban. The vote was expected to take place tomorrow.
The video, which was retweeted by the Taliban's official spokesperson, saw Ellwood say corruption in Afghanistan was falling and security had improved.
Ellwood said the "war-weary nation" was now "accepting a more authoritarian leadership in exchange for stability".
The video saw Ellwood say corruption in Afghanistan was falling and security had improved
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An informal meeting of the committee was held at 2pm on Wednesday, with members calling for him to defend the video.
As revealed by GB News' exclusive published earlier this week, the motion was expected to pass if just two of the Conservative members of the committee were to lend their support, as opposition members were expected to vote in favour of the motion.
Ellwood resigned this afternoon before members were able to vote on the issue.
He said in a statement: "It is with deep regret that I have tendered my resignation as Chair of the Defence Committee.
"It has been a huge privilege to lead the scrutiny of the Government's defence and security policy in Parliament
these last three years.
"I'm proud of the hard-hitting inquiries the Committee has produced, with the central message that defence
spending is woefully low across all three services and must increase to 3 per cent GDP given the dark era of increasing
insecurity we have now entered.
"I believe I have a strong voice when it comes to defence and security.
"I stand up, speak my mind, try to see the bigger picture and offer solutions, especially on the international stage, as our world turns a dangerous corner. I don't always get it right - so it's right I put my hand up when I don't.
"Poor communications, during the summer, in calling for greater international engagement in Afghanistan was understandably criticised at the time and reflected poorly on the Committee. Whilst I do believe I retained support of the majority of the committee, its dynamic and effectiveness would simply not be the same, and prove a distraction, if all in the room were not supportive of the Chair.
"I look forward to continue campaigning for my constituents in Bournemouth East and making the case for further UK statecraft on the international stage."
The no-confidence motion was tabled by four MPs on the committee: Labour MPs Kevan Jones and Derek Twigg, along with Conservative MPs Mark Francois and Richard Drax.
Speaking ahead of the vote, one insider told GB News: "The 'Taliban tourism' video was the last straw. People are getting fed up with it."
Meanwhile, Jones told Sky News: "This is not the first time that Tobias Ellwood has made statements which don't reflect the committee's stance. This one is beyond the pale."
Ellwood apologised for the video after it was published, saying: "However well intentioned, reflections of my personal visit could have been better worded."
He added: "I am sorry for my poor communication.
"I stand up, speak my mind, try to see the bigger picture and offer solutions, especially on the international stage, as our world turns a dangerous corner."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Mark Francois described the video as "utterly bizarre"
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Ellwood admitted: "I don't always get it right."
At the time the video was posted, Defence Select Committee Mark Francois said it was "utterly bizarre", adding that one of his colleagues said it resembled a "wish you were here" video.
He said: "He made no mention of the fact that the Taliban are still attempting to identify and kill Afghan citizens who helped our Armed Forces, and also makes no specific mention of the fact that young girls in Afghanistan don't even have the right to go to school under that government."