British minister flies to Afghanistan to avoid Heathrow vote - and save his job

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has flown to Afghanistan to avoid a crucial Commons vote on the expansion of Heathrow Airport which could have seen him forced to quit the Government.
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed he had met deputy foreign minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai for talks in Kabul after the Foreign Office had earlier refused to disclose his destination on "security grounds".
Earlier Mr Johnson defended his decision not to take part in the vote, saying his resignation would have achieved "absolutely nothing".
The Foreign Secretary faced widespread derision after he chose to be out of the country on official business on Monday despite his long-standing opposition to a third runway.?
His absence meant he was able to avoid a choice between voting against Heathrow expansion on a three-line whip, which would have meant quitting as Foreign Secretary, or supporting the Government in order to keep his job.
In an open letter to constituents in his west London seat, quoted in the Evening Standard, he said: "My resignation would have achieved absolutely nothing."
Jeremy Corbyn poured scorn on Mr Johnson's decision to stay away, despite his Uxbridge and South Ruislip...

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