Kirstie Allsopp isn’t one to shy away when it comes to sharing her opinion on social media and most recently she called out the UK for caring more about the animal rescue by Pen Farthing.
The 49-year-old TV presenter called it a “betrayal” by the UK for showing more concern about animal welfare than actual human beings when it came to the Afghanistan crisis.
Pen Farthing has been featured heavily throughout the UK media over his pet rescue and his plea to save the animals.
The soldier set up a charity called Nowzad while he was doing a tour of Afghanistan with the Marines in 2006.
However, the Location, Location, Location presenter has called out the soldier’s efforts admitting she “simply could not conceive” it.
It comes as the official Facebook page for Nowzad confirmed staff members from the charity were not allowed through the final barrier.
In a statement, the post read: “We are relieved to confirm that Pen and the Nowzad animals [have] left Afghanistan and are now safe.
“However, we still have much to do as our wonderful team in Kabul were not allowed through the final barrier.
“It was a devastating blow to us. We are now working extremely hard to get them evacuated and will not rest until they too are safe.”
The statement continued: “Our thoughts, for now, are with our staff and the many people and animals who have also been left behind.
“We will do our utmost to help them.”
The soldier had landed in London on Sunday with the animals, however, some thought that the true number of people left behind in Afghanistan is thought to be higher than the 5,000 figure.
In response to Pen’s efforts, Kirstie took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the actions taken.
She told her 424,000 followers: “If I were left in Afghanistan, or were trying to get a member of my family out, I simply could not conceive how we could get dogs & cats on a plane to the UK but not humans,” she snapped.
“We have betrayed and let down so many people and then told them straight up that animals matter more.”
The Channel 4 presenter divided opinion over her thoughts, as one follower replied to her Tweet and said: “Do you imagine dogs and cats sitting in plane seats having a complimentary drink? They were in a hold not fit for humans. Same hold they put equipment. Distraction rubbish that deflects from the fact that Tory government left at least 9000 people behind due to inept planning.”
(Image: PA)
But TV presenter Kirstie hit back at the comment: “This isn’t true. You are allowed to use the hold for humans in an emergency.”
More followers jumped in on the debate and commented: “The actual plane was empty for goodness sake. It was privately chartered and offered up for anyone to get on board. There was nobody left who was legally able to board. Try getting your facts right before you peddle propaganda.”
Meanwhile, another said: “They [animals] were in the cargo! Animals took up no space. The plane extra seats were offered. When will you read facts.”
Kirstie then replied back: “How does that make any difference to the people who saw them being loaded into the plane?
“Can you not see how betrayed many left behind feel by this obsession with ‘innocent animals?’”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
