Mark Sedwill, Nato senior civilian representative to Afghanistan, said all of the country's neighbours had an obligation to prevent weapons falling into insurgent hands.

BBC: Hague fury as 'Iranian arms' bound for Taliban seized

Mark Sedwill, the top civil servant at the Home Office, is expected to be quizzed about the issue when he appears before the Home Affairs Committee in two weeks.

BBC: Crowd of shoppers

His analysis was echoed by Mark Sedwill, Nato's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, who told Evan Davis that the Taliban "have really given up trying to compete for the hearts and minds".

BBC: Nato 'impatient' for Afghan progress

Britain's ambassador to Kabul, Mark Sedwill, told journalists that while turnout in the August 20 presidential and provincial vote was low across the country, this was not a reflection of the success or failure of Panther's Claw.

CNN: UK: Troops did not die for just 150 Afghan votes