A delegation of British clerics who went on a fact-finding mission to Afghanistan promoted the country, which is run by the Taliban, at one of Britain’s leading universities and on Afghan state television, with one praising the “beautiful government” and its “positive” vision.

Eight Muslim clerics toured the country last summer as part of an all-male delegation organised by Prosper Afghanistan, a UK-based initiative that claims it is “dedicated to furthering understanding” of the country, and Human Aid & Advocacy, a British humanitarian charity.

During the trip they met Taliban officials, including Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister, and appeared on Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), the country’s public broadcaster. In September the clerics appeared at Prosper Afghanistan’s launch event at Queen Mary, University of London,