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Ricky Gervais Lashes Out At Critics Of Campaign To Save Animals From Afghanistan

Ricky Gervais has lashed out at critics of the campaign to save animals stuck in the middle of the Afghanistan crisis.
Credit: @rickygervais/Instagram

Ricky Gervais has lashed out at critics of the campaign to save animals stuck in the middle of the Afghanistan crisis.

The comedian has been showing his support for Paul ‘Pen’ Farthing who has launched a fundraiser titled Operation Ark. It aims to transport 200 animals, along with staff, from his rescue centre in Nowzad, Kabul, over to the UK.

Gervais became outraged as he followed the story, as Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the animals won’t be put before ‘the men, women, and children we see in desperate need of the gate’.

Watch the moment American political advisor Jen Psaki claims no Americans are stranded in Afghanistan… 

The 60-year-old tweeted: “Urgent: @PenFarthing is brave and kind. Such honour should be rewarded. He’s still trying to save others in the face of grave danger. He shouldn’t be left behind. And they rescued a f***ing car? Shame. #OperationArk.”

In a follow-up tweet, he added: “Dear stupid c***s saying we shouldn’t put animals before people. 1. The animals go in the hold where people can’t go. 2. This is an extra, privately funded plane that will allow MORE people to be saved. #OperationArk.”

Farthing and his staff have all been granted visas from the UK government. However, none have received approval from the Foreign Office on when they can travel, reports The Evening Standard.

In an interview with Sky News, Farthing also said he’s had ‘no confirmation’ on the visas.

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During the televised chat, he stated: “He absolutely knows Mr Wallace that I said I’m not leaving here without my staff.

“So I’m not going to go to the airport and go on an aeroplane so his problem goes away, that’s not going to happen.”

Commenting on the matter, Wallace said: “[Farthing] could get through the gates as a British passport holder. He was called forward on Friday and I recommend he takes that.

“His workforce have been offered, as entitled personnel, places and they will be able to be called forward, but I can’t guarantee in this window they will be processed onto aircraft, all I can say is they qualify.

“As for the animals that he was rescuing… it is just not going to be the case that I will prioritise them over the men, women and children we see in desperate need at the gate.”

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Written by Aimee Walker

Aimee is a senior content editor at IGV who specialises in finding the best original stories, trending topics and entertainment news. She graduated from Birmingham City University with a degree in Media and Communications.