Eight Afghan journalists who worked for British media companies in Afghanistan are embroiled in a High Court fight with ministers after failing in bids to relocate to the UK.
They have taken legal action against Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Suella Braverman after being told they were not eligible for relocation.
A judge is considering evidence at a High Court hearing in London and lawyers representing ministers are fighting the case.
Lawyers representing the journalists told Mr Justice Lane on Thursday that they had worked in “high-profile roles for the BBC and other media agencies” and were at risk of “being killed by the Taliban”.
Adam Straw KC , who is leading the journalists legal team, told the judge, in a written case outline, that they had worked alongside British troops.
“The claimants are Afghan nationals who worked in high-profile roles for the BBC and other media agencies in Afghanistan,” said Mr Straw.
“They worked alongside HM Government, including alongside British troops and for organisations funded by HM Government.
“Their work closely supported HM Government’s objectives in Afghanistan, for example by providing it with information; developing popular support for the British mission; undermining support for the Taliban; and playing an important role in the development of a free media and accountable democracy.
He added: “As a result of their work in support of HM Government, the claimants and their families are at high risk of being killed by the Taliban.”
Mr Straw said the journalists had applied for relocation to the UK under the “Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy”, but officials had decided that they were not eligible for relocation under that scheme.
He said the journalists had been told that they “did not meet the eligibility criteria” but had not been given give “any or adequate reasons” why.
Mr Straw said their applications under a discretionary policy had also been refused.
He said that decision was “unreasonable and unfair”
Mr Straw said: “The claimants submit that the defendants acted unlawfully.”
The journalists are being representing by law firm Leigh Day.
A Leigh Day spokeswoman said, before the start of the hearing: “The eight journalists worked for the BBC and other agencies supporting the British military in Afghanistan, exposing Taliban corruption and abuse, distributing information, and promoting media freedom, democracy and human rights.”
She added: “After the military withdrawal, Kabul fell to the Taliban on 15 August, 2021, putting these journalists at escalated risk.”
