THE Defence Secretary has said he is not prepared to prioritise pets over people as a former Royal Marine turned charity worker attempts to evacuate his staff and rescue dogs out of Afghanistan.

Ben Wallace rebuked Paul “Pen” Farthing, from Dovercourt, after the ex-Marine vented anger that he was being prevented from using a privately-funded plane to rescue his staff and animals.

The 52-year-old said he had been “left to fend for myself” after organising the flight for his 25 Afghan staff as well as the charity’s animals.

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However, the Defence Secretary has raised concerns about the sheer volume of people trying to flee the war-torn country at Kabul’s airport.

As a result, he said he is unable to guarantee the staff will be able to leave during the current evacuation window.

Mr Wallace told Sky News: “He could get through the gates as a British passport holder. He was called forward on Friday and I recommend he takes that.

Gazette: Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. PADefence Secretary Ben Wallace. PA

“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.”

Mr Wallace’s response comes after a string of furious tweets from Mr Farthing, who served in the Afghan province of Helmand in the mid-2000s.

He wrote: “I have been left to fend for myself in Kabul. Cut off from my #MoD support line by the special advisor to @BWallaceMP.

“22-years a Marine now left behind lines. Neither my staff or animals will now get out - cheers.”

In another tweet, he added: “As before, I am staying with my staff and animals. I’ll get them in that airport and I will get my flight in.

“You picked on the wrong person to back down @BWallaceMP. I served 22 years as a @RoyalMarines. We don’t quit.”

Comedian Ricky Gervais, a vocal supporter of animal rights, tweeted his support for the Dovercourt ex-Marine.

He wrote: “Dear stupid XXXX saying we shouldn’t put animals before people. The animals go in the hold where people can’t go. This is a privately-funded plane that will allow MORE people to be saved.”