One of many UK’s most senior army figures in Afghanistan was despatched house in shame after ingesting champagne with colleagues, The Telegraph can reveal.
Maj Gen Charlie Herbert OBE took up a publish in June 2017 in Kabul as deputy advisor to the ministry of the inside, the federal government division chargeable for legislation enforcement, civil order and combating crime.
He was chargeable for coaching and mentoring senior Afghan officers and the position included conducting conferences with Afghan authorities figures, in addition to tribal leaders and forging hyperlinks between the ministry of the inside and different authorities departments.
The publish was meant to final for 12 months, however Maj Gen Herbert got here again three months early following a grievance that was submitted about his conduct.
The grievance was about his alleged inappropriate language and behavior within the office, throwing events on the British embassy and ingesting alcohol overtly with Afghan colleagues.
He advised The Telegraph that he “shared a bottle of champagne” with work colleagues and was “short-toured” due to this, that means he was faraway from his publish forward of the official finish of his project. He stated the opposite complaints about him have been investigated however thrown out.
As soon as again within the UK, Maj Gen Herbert took up a brand new place on the defence academy in Swindon earlier than retiring from the Military altogether the next yr.
Since retiring in 2019, he has grow to be an outspoken commentator on army affairs, most just lately in regards to the Israel-Gaza battle.
When Maj Gen Herbert was in Afghanistan, Western efforts to stabilise the nation have been led by the US which had general management of army operations. It was hoped that by coaching the Afghan military, police and civilian officers, the nation might ultimately function with out Nato help.
The Taliban retook management of Afghanistan in 2021, 20 years after being faraway from energy by a US-led army coalition.
The hardline Islamist group superior quickly throughout the nation, seizing province after province before taking the capital Kabul because the Afghan army collapsed.
The group had struck a take care of the Individuals in 2020 for US troops to withdraw, following a bloody however finally profitable guerrilla marketing campaign.
Gen Herbert stated: “After investigation by the British Military, the allegations referred to have been discovered to be unproven and vexatious except a single one which I shared a bottle of champagne with some work colleagues, in breach of a US rule on the consumption of alcohol.”
He stated he was cleared of the opposite allegations and “continued to serve with the Military for one more 18 months earlier than leaving voluntarily to take up a brand new position supporting the International & Commonwealth Workplace in Somalia”.
An Military spokesperson stated: “Troopers in any respect ranges of the British Military are held to the best requirements. If any particular person fails to fulfill these requirements, acceptable motion is taken.”
