MP Tobias Ellwood Quits Role Over Criticism For His 'Pro Taliban' Video
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood has this evening quit as the Chair of the Commons Defence Committee after facing a vote of no confidence.
In July, Ellwood, Conservative MP of Bournemouth East, came under fire over a video posted on social media in which he bizarrely praised Afghanistan as 'transformed' under the Taliban's rule.
In the widely-criticised clip, Ellwood urged the UK to re-engage with the country and the Taliban – an extremist terrorist organisation responsible for the torture and murder of countless innocent people and the ongoing oppression of citizens, particularly women living in Afghanistan.
Ex-soldier Ellwood eventually apologised for the video and deleted it, but members of the cross-party committee submitted a no-confidence motion on 19th July.
In a resignation statement, Ellwood said "It is with deep regret that I have tendered my resignation as Chair of the Defence Committee."
"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."
He said "poor communications" about engagement with Afghanistan were "understandably criticised at the time and reflected poorly on the Committee".
Ellwood added "Whilst I do believe I retain the 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."