UK defence minister embroiled in row over Kabul animal charity

FILE PHOTO: Pen Farthing, founder of British charity Nowzad, an animal shelter, stands in front of a cage on the outskirts of Kabul May 1, 2012. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

LONDON (Reuters) - Amid the desperate mission to evacuate Afghans to Britain after the Taliban's capture of Kabul, the British defence minister has become embroiled in a bitter row over the plight of a former soldier and his animal rescue charity.

Former Royal Marine Paul 'Pen' Farthing has been seeking to leave Afghanistan with the staff of his Nowzad charity and the scores of dogs and cats for which they cared.