Colchester's MP praises UK troops
Will Quince has called them 'heroes'
Last updated 30th Aug 2021
Colchester's MP has paid tribute to UK troops, returning home from Afghanistan.
Writing on his website, Will Quince said:
"As our heroic troops land back in the UK, many of whom will be returning to Colchester, I wanted to put on record Colchester’s admiration and gratitude for all they have done in the past few weeks.
"I know from my mailbox that many of Colchester’s residents are incredibly sad about the situation in Afghanistan, which is of course a view that I share.
"Operation PITTING, which has seen our Armed Forces evacuate more than 15,000 British nationals and Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy claimants from Afghanistan in a matter of weeks, could not have been achieved without the professionalism and bravery of every single one of our troops posted in the country during this short yet momentous period.
"The Prime Minister has announced that we will make sure Afghans who stood side-by-side with us in Afghanistan since 2001 and have been evacuated to the UK will get the support they need to rebuild their lives in our country. Families have already been posted in Colchester, as will be happening up and down the UK, and as we have always done, I know Colchester will offer these families that have done our country a great service, a warm welcome.
"I wanted to say a final special thank you to all our Armed Forces personnel upon their return. Colchester's own Sir Laurie Bristow, the UK's Ambassador to Afghanistan, and his team, also deserve praise for demonstrating selflessness and heroism by staying in the country to help lead on Operation PITTING, with all the risks that entailed. Our Armed Forces and civilian personnel have made Colchester and the whole country proud."