Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said it is “unlikely” the 31 August deadline to pull troops out of Afghanistan will be extended as it gets “more and more dangerous”.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: “As we get closer it’s correct to say the security risk goes up, it gets more and more dangerous.

“Add-on groups and other terrorist groups like ISIS would like to be seen taking credit, would like to be seen chasing the West out of Afghanistan.”

Boris Johnson is joining a G7 leaders’ summit online today where he will call on US President Joe Biden to extend the 31 August deadline for pulling all US troops out of Afghanistan.

But the Taliban told Sky News the end of the month was a “red line” and there would be “consequences” if that was extended.

On whether Mr Biden will extend that deadline, Mr Wallace said: “I think it’s unlikely, not only because of what the Taliban has said but also the public statement from President Biden.

“It’s worth us all trying, and we will.”

Related posts:

House of Lords Speaker to step down early to campaign on HIV/Aids and LGBT rights ‘Unhelpful and redundant’: Boris Johnson told to ‘scrap use of BAME label’ UK has no plans for investigation into UFOs after Pentagon report A night of high drama: Relief for Starmer as his prayers are answered in Batley and Spen Merkel tells PM number of fans at Wembley for Euro 2020 seems ‘a bit too much’ Red boxes and nappies: The babies who had No 10 as their first home Chancellor writes letter to the PM calling for relaxation of travel rules, reports say Iran’s ambassador summoned to Foreign Office following oil tanker drone attack Raab says evacuations from Kabul airport could resume ‘in the near future’ following discussions with Qatar Ministers face difficult decision on whether to overrule JCVI’s finding on vaccinating children NHS waiting lists ‘could double to 12 million by 2025 due to pandemic backlog’, watchdog warns MPs give up second jobs worth £250k a year in wake of Westminster sleaze row