© Bradley PageFazel Dijilane, interpreter for 3rd battalion Yorkshire Regiment and the Royal Marines
He spent more than two years travelling across Europe to try to reach the UK, where he hoped to claim asylum. But instead he is now destitute, living in a tent in Calais alongside hundreds of other migrants. His injuries mean he is in constant pain, which is worsened by cold weather.
Mr Dijilane said: 'I am at the front door of the UK now. But it seems they don't care about the interpreters.' He said he wanted to help British troops because they had 'left everything to fight for peace for us'. But his cousin, a member of the Taliban, was killed and his family suspected Mr Dijilane of informing because of his work.
He said he was waiting for the UK Government's Labour Support Unit (LSU) in Afghanistan to consider his application to be relocated to the UK when he was threatened by the Taliban and had to flee. He said: 'I lost everything: my mother, my sisters, my health, my country. I know many interpreters the Taliban have already killed. So I had to leave. Now, I am just asking for help.'
Comment: Those who give uncompromising service to others often find the return balance negligent and unfulfilled. This is an all too often circumstance of beneficence being used and then left by the wayside. Mr. Dijilane made a self-sacrificing contribution while risking his life and that is something honorable in itself. In a nice world, it would be acknowledged and reciprocated. We do not live in a particularly nice world.