Afghan translators 'need help'

The risks facing Afghan interpreters is "exactly the same" as the problems facing troops fighting in Afghanistan, the great-grandson of Winston Churchill has told Daybreak.

Alexander Perkins, who has served in two tours of Afghanistan, will hand in a petition calling for more to be done to protect those who translated for the British army.

Signatures to the petition have leapt to 55,000 from 27,000 since this morning.

In May, the Government announced that around 600 Afghan interpreters are to be offered the chance to settle in Britain in recognition of risks to their personal safety.

Under the proposals, all interpreters who have been in the job more than 12 months and put themselves in physical danger are to offered a resettlement package

They will need to have worked between December 2012 and December 2014, when troops are due to leave, to be eligible.

The interpreters could also be offered a five-year visa for themselves and their family, with help relocating and finding accommodation and work in the UK.

Read: UK visas for Afghan interpreters

Watch more: Afghan interpreters seek refuge in the UK fearing repercussions

The great-grandson of a former Prime Minister is demanding David Cameron protect the Afghan interpreters who have served on the front line in Helmand with British troops.

Alexander Perkins will hand in a petition with excess of 27,000 signatures to Downing Street asking the Prime Minister to take care of the interpreters for fear they will be "sent to their deaths" without support or resettlement.

Perkins said his great-grandfather would have been "shocked" with the treatment of Afghan interpreters.

Campaigners say the current resettlement package proposed by the Government is not enough to protect all the interpreters used in the conflict.