Taliban a ‘long way’ from diplomatic recognition in UK, Minister says

The MP acknowledged that emails from Afghans desperate to leave the country may not have been read

(Abdul khaliq/AP)

The UK is a “long way” from offering diplomatic recognition to the Taliban in Afghanistan, a Foreign Office minister said as international powers considered how to deal with the new regime in Kabul.

James Cleverly said the Taliban would be judged on its actions as an intensive round of diplomacy began in Washington and at the United Nations.