Minister inadvertently displays sensitive Afghanistan documents

International development secretary Andrew Mitchell leaves No 10 with briefing papers on display The international development secretary, Andrew Mitchell, has been caught leaving Downing Street with “protected” government documents on display. The documents revealed government concern that funding to Afghanistan must resume or the country could be destabilised. After expressing about the banking sector in Afghanistan wasting funding from the international community, Mitchell’s briefing document reads: “The world bank have told us that the suspension of UK and other donor funds to the Afghan government will soon begin to destabilise activities essential for transition.” Falling victim to an indiscretion that has caught out a number of public figures before – to career-ending effect in the case of counter-terrorism officer Bob Quick – Mitchell left No 10 on Tuesday with his briefing papers on display. Mitchell is unlikely to suffer Quick’s fate because he is well regarded by David Cameron. The dossier – marked “Protect” – makes clear government policy on British attitudes towards the impending departure of the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, and towards criticism of the Afghan banking system by the IMF. Confirming the government is pleased Karzai is intending to stand down after two terms in office in 2014, the document reads: “This is very important. It improves Afghanistan’s political prospects very significantly. We should welcome Karzai’s announcement in public and in private.” The document also details government concerns – highlighted repeatedly by international organisations in recent months – that foreign aid to Afghanistan is sent to a finance ministry and banking sector of questionable standing. Funds have been suspended, but the document says the IMF will send a new inspection team in the autumn. Mitchell’s document reads: “We are hopeful that the government will have demonstrated sufficient progress towards credible reforms of the financial sector, and actions to address the Kabul bank fraud so that a new programme can be agreed over the autumn.” Afghanistan Hamid Karzai Allegra Stratton guardian.co.uk

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