Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey has waded in to defend Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab amid increasing pressure on him to resign after it was revealed he was on the Greek island of Crete as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.

Ms Morrissey said the fact that Mr Raab - who was born in and grew up in Buckinghamshire - has "worked tirelessly" since the crisis began is "irrelevant to the armchair and commons bench critics", adding that he is a "workaholic". 

It comes after it was reported that Foreign Office officials advised the Cabinet minister on August 13 to call Afghan foreign minister Hanif Atmar – two days before the Taliban marched on Kabul – to arrange help for those who supported British troops.

But Mr Raab delegated this to junior minister Lord Goldsmith, and it later emerged the call had never been made.

In a statement on Friday, Mr Raab said: “This was quickly overtaken by events. The call was delegated to a minister of state because I was prioritising security and capacity at the airport on the direct advice of the director and the director-general overseeing the crisis response.

“In any event, the Afghan foreign minister agreed to take the call, but was unable to because of the rapidly deteriorating situation.”

Defending Mr Raab, Beaconsfield MP Ms Morrissey said on Twitter: "The Foreign Secretary has worked tirelessly since this crisis began.

"That is irrelevant to the armchair and commons bench critics who predictably work tirelessly to apportion blame. Perhaps they could start with The Taliban?"

In a second tweet, she said: "I've been a PPS [Parliamentary Private Secretary] in FCDO [The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] since February 2020 and I've never seen him stop. 

"He's a workaholic. This was the first time he'd taken a break with his wife and young children since Covid. 

"But apparently working 24/7 and acting as Deputy PM during Covid weren't enough."

Her first tweet attracted more than 700 responses, many from those critical of her message. 

One person said: "How is that statement even remotely credible? He was on holiday, refused to return or make a phone call... that he delegated and now transpires never happened! Please explain hwo that is 'working tirelessly'?"

Another added: "'Working tirelessly'. From my armchair I can condemn the Taliban, from his deckchair Raab couldn't make a phonecall."