The defence secretary's defended the MP for Esher and Walton Dominic Raab, following reports he was 'too busy' on holiday to speak with the Afghan foreign minister, as the Taliban closed in.

Ben Wallace has been reacting to the Daily Mail's claims that the foreign secretary was away when senior officials advised he should speak with Hanif Atmar.

Officials were told he was 'unavailable' - putting up a junior minister instead.

Mr Raab reportedly didn't talk to his Afghan counterpart until at least the next day.

Labour's suggested his position now hangs in the balance.