UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab has claimed Britain did not see the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan coming, as Sir Keir Starmer warned the war-torn country must be prevented from slipping “back to a hotbed for international terrorism”.

Mr Raab admitted the UK Government was surprised by the rapid nature of the Taliban advance, which has seen them regain control of the country in a little over a week.

Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday, Mr Raab claimed Britain was not alone in being “caught off-guard” by the quick and hostile nature of the militant group’s takeover.

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Sir Keir Starmer warns Afghanistan cannot slip back to 'hotbed of international terrorism' as Dominic Raab says Britain did not see Taliban takeover coming