Ministers have intervened in the case of a former Afghan interpreter who was denied compensation for severe injuries sustained while serving alongside British forces in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is now reviewing the situation after officials rejected Rafi Hottak's claim, citing an invalid proof of address.

Hottak, who was injured in a Taliban bomb attack in Helmand province in November 2007 that killed a British officer, applied for compensation under the government's Ex-Gratia Medical Payments scheme. This scheme was established in 2013 to support Afghans injured while working with UK troops.

However, his application was deemed invalid because he submitted a council tax bill as proof of his address, rather than a utility bill, as required by the scheme's bureaucratic rules. Hottak, who was granted sanctuary in the UK in 2011 and now works as an accountant, stated he was astonished by the rejection, especially since council tax bills are widely accepted as proof of address by banks, solicitors, and other government bodies.

News of Hottak's plight has drawn criticism from fellow translators, military veterans, and politicians. Ahmad, an ex-translator who experienced torture by the Taliban, called the MOD's handling of the case "disgusting" and "shaming." Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative foreign affairs spokesman and Afghan veteran, stated, "This isn’t right. Rafi fought with us, we cannot abandon him now." Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin, also an Afghan veteran, urged ministers to "cut through the morass" of bureaucracy.

Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, is understood to be reviewing Hottak's case, along with others, and has reportedly instructed the MOD team responsible to adopt a "more reasonable and common sense approach."

Hottak sustained injuries requiring 160 stitches and continues to suffer from flashbacks and the trauma of his experiences. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received and hopes for a positive outcome in his review, stating, "I stand ready to provide any evidence that is required."

The MOD has acknowledged the case, stating, "We remain committed to honouring our promises to eligible Afghans, many of whom worked alongside UK Armed Forces." The department added that while the scheme is closed to new review requests, they are "aware of this case and considering whether it can be resolved."