Miles Routledge

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Miles Arthur Routledge
Personal information
Born14 September, 1999
Good Hope Hospital
Birmingham, England
NationalityBritish
EducationHollyfield School
Plantsbrook School
Loughborough University
Occupation
  • YouTuber
  • writer
Parent(s)Susan Routledge (mother)
YouTube information
Channels
Subscribers60.3 thousand
Total views2.3 million

Miles Arthur Le-Vesconte Routledge, also known commonly by his nickname "Lord Miles", is an English author, explorer, YouTuber, Internet celebrity and a war tourist. He is known for being a danger tourist in Afghanistan during the Fall of Kabul, and being apprehended and arrested by Taliban internal security forces on a third visit to Afghanistan on March 2, 2023.[1] He is currently imprisoned by the Taliban in Afghanistan.[2][3]

Early life

Miles Routledge, an only child, was born in Sutton, Coldfield and raised in nearby Falcon Lodge, Birmingham. His father was a sperm donor, and Routledge was the product of In vitro fertilisation. The same man's specimen was also used by others, technically giving Routledge two older half-sisters. Susan Routledge,[4] his mother, had struggled to have children, and qualified at the age of 40 for one round of IVF through the National Health Service.[5]

He attended the Hollyfield School, and completed his Sixth form at Plantsbrook School in 2018. From 2014 to 2018, while attending school, Routledge worked as a Hairdresser at Theo Georgio.[6] After graduation, he went on to study physics for his first year at Loughborough University.[7] During his second year, Routledge pursued a degree in banking and finance, and established the university's Loughborough Investment Banking Society.[8] In 2021, he began taking online classes from the Harvard Business School.[9] He was formerly homeless in Birmingham for a few months.[10]

Expeditions

In 2019, following the Christmas exams of his first term at Loughborough University, Routledge was invited to spend his Winter vacation exploring Chernobyl by a friend.[11]

Fall of Kabul

Routledge reportedly in 2021[12] decided to Google, "most dangerous countries to visit."[7] These factors made him want to visit Afghanistan, the country that was being taken over by the Taliban during their 2021 Taliban offensive.[13]

In March 2021, he began planning a trip to Afghanistan,[14] saying "I wanted to see what life was like here, and how it was different [...] it’s always been on the news since 2001."[15] He also hoped to perform some acts of charity, and see historical Christian sites.[16] The cost of the visa and flight was around £1,000.[15] An extremely online traveler who referred to himself as "based",[15] his preparations included a GPS-enabled SOS button, regular updates to online friends on his whereabouts, and a dead man's switch scheduled to automatically post a message on his Facebook page if he failed to return.[15] Routledge spent £15 on a joke purchase which gave him the right to use the title "Lord," which he claimed would ensure his safety.[17]

On August 13, Routledge arrived in Kabul from Turkey,[18][19] with a return flight scheduled for August 19.[20] While the ongoing Taliban offensive was at the time not expected to reach the city for months,[15] the FCDO advised against all travel to the whole country, and urged British nationals in Afghanistan to leave immediately.[21] Routledge said in an August 14th 4chan post that "the intelligence agencies show that the capital may be taken over in 30 days; however not in a few days [...] Also if I get proven wrong and die, edit a laughing soundtrack over my posts. It’ll be funny I think." [22] On the 14th, Routledge and his Afghan tour guide set out to do a "charity day", taking about $30 to purchase food for local children and dogs;[15] numerous chaotic events would soon occur, including a bank run and people firing automatic weapons in the air. With the help of the guide, Routledge would attempt to travel to the British embassy disguised as a woman in a burqa.[16] Upon arriving at the embassy, and finding it deserted, they headed for the airport.[16][23]

The city was taken by Taliban forces on August 15,[18] and Routledge described himself as being "stuck in a pickle";[24][25][20][26] Routledge's posting about the experience on 4chan,[14] Facebook[14] and Twitch[14] gained wide currency.[27] He became known by the nickname "Lord Miles"[22][20] after posting about a £15 lordship certificate he had earlier obtained online, which he had used to get the title "Lord" on a credit card (despite not being a member of British nobility) after he "talked a good game" at a bank.[22][27] Routledge said that he believed the Taliban might see the honorific and believe he was "valuable enough to negotiate an exchange".[22] Fellow 4chan posters began to research Taliban activity in the area and provide him with updates on their progress; Routledge said that "even though 4chan’s obviously a toxic place and there are terrible things on there, the people who did reply did give good information and did save my life several times over".[15]

In an interview with the The Times, he said that he had "accepted death", explaining that "there was no convincing me otherwise and I knew the risks".[27][28][18] While some people had started raising money to help him escape the country, Routledge suggested instead that they give to charity;[22] on Facebook, he asked followers to focus their concern on others at risk from the events, including the tour guide who led him to safety (saying that "his only crime is going the extra mile and saving my life, I can never repay him and that saddens me").[22]

By August 15, Routledge said that the British embassy in Kabul had not responded to his calls or emails, and that he was "fully prepared for death", saying that "this trip has been a test of God. I'm very religious so I believe I’ll be looked after";[28][26][24] he later found refuge in a safehouse[26][25] (to which his guide had been denied entry since he was not from a NATO country).[16] On August 16, a spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said that it was "aware of this case and [was] attempting to reach the individual to offer assistance";[14] the same day, Routledge said that he expected to leave in an "emergency evacuation".[14] He told Input magazine that he was "hearing a lot of gunfire and helicopters towards the direction of the airport", and that "it may be two weeks until I'm out".[15]

On August 17, he was evacuated to Dubai on a British Army plane[29] and had to quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic on return to England.[30]

Later trips

He decided to return to the now Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in April 2022. To prepare for his second trip, he emptied out his room and placed all of his belongings in storage. In case the trip went poorly, he gave his roommate keys to access it.[31] He left for Afghanistan on April 21, to get there he had to travel through various countries so he wouldn't be detained.[32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

While on his trip to Afghanistan in May 2022, Routledge was interviewed by the Afghani television news station Barya TV.[39] On November 15, 2021, it was announced he had signed a book deal with Antelope Hill to publish his account of the fall of Afghanistan. On November 30, 2022, Miles' book became available for pre-order.[40] The book was published December 2, 2022.[41]

Routledge has also visited the nations of Kazakhstan, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Brazil. In Kenya, he was falsely imprisoned by Kenyan police[42], crossed into Kazakhstan by means of illegal immigration[43], was in Ukraine shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine[44], and has visited the closed to the public Ilha da Queimada Grande, commonly known as Snake Island.[45] He has also stated his intentions to visit North Sentinel Island, an island with one of the last remaining isolated Indigenous peoples that is hostile to foreigners, and for this reason is made illegal by the Indian Government to enter.[46]

Controversy

Routledge has been labelled a war tourist[47], and also has been criticized for his friendship with Andrew Tate.[48] Routledge was with Tate a few days before he was arrested.[49]

Bibliography

  • Routledge, Miles (2022). Lord Miles in Afghanistan. Antelope Hill Publishing. ISBN 978-1956887532. OCLC 1356508024.[50]

References

  1. ↑ Wallen, Joe; Sabur, Rozina (2023-04-01). "British self-styled 'danger tourist' captured by Taliban secret police". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  2. ↑ "Afghanistan: Three British men being held in Taliban custody - including 'danger tourist' who returned after army evacuation". Sky News. 2 April 2023.
  3. ↑ Culbertson, Alix (2 April 2023). "'Danger tourist' among three Britons held by Taliban - as government 'in negotiations' to ensure their safety". Sky News.
  4. ↑ Powell, Michael; O'Donnell, Lynne; Ross, Madeleine; Duffin, Claire (2 April 2023). "Mother of 'danger tourist' held by Taliban says she's 'distraught'". Daily Mail.
  5. ↑ "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fertility guidelines". NHS.uk. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Meet the team - Theo Georgio". June 30, 2022. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mcmanus, Leigh (May 4, 2022). "Brit war tourist in Afghanistan gets on TV and says 'it's better than Birmingham'". Daily Star. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
  8. ↑ id= lboroIb | name= Loughborough Investment Banking Society | link= https://www.facebook.com/lboroIb/?ref=page_internal }}
  9. ↑ "Miles Facebook Post". March 6, 2021.
  10. ↑ Lord Miles [@real_lord_miles] (2021-11-15). "I used to be homeless for a few months, it was rough. I remember the feeling of the cold and the desperation..." (Tweet). Retrieved 2023-04-02 – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ Knox, Patrick (December 15, 2021). "IDIOT ABROAD Brit Miles Routledge who got trapped on Kabul 'holiday' forced to flee on camping trip in war-torn South Sudan". The Sun.
  12. ↑ @real_lord_miles (April 22, 2022). "I've been planning since august" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ Gleadow, Ewan (January 17, 2022). "Brit who travelled to Kabul just before Taliban took over heads to crisis-hit Kazakhstan". Daily Star. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Hardy, Jack (August 16, 2021). "British student stuck in Kabul after 'danger tourism' stunt backfires" – via The Telegraph.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 Stokel-Walker, Chris. "A British 4channer went to Kabul for lulz. Now he's stuck there". Input.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 "We spoke to the British student whose holiday in Kabul went seriously wrong". The Tab. August 16, 2021.
  17. ↑ Braddick, Imogen; Siddle, John (16 Aug 2021). "AN IDIOT ABROAD Brit Miles Routledge 'trapped in Kabul on holiday' leaves mum in pieces after 'insane' trip 'got way out of hand'". The Sun. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "'No regrets,' says a student stranded in Kabul after planning a trip to the "10 Most Dangerous Countries."". The Washington Newsday.
  19. ↑ "Tourist stranded in Kabul says he has 'no regrets' in Afghanistan collapse". NZ Herald.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "British College Student 'Lord Miles' Claims He's Stuck in Afghanistan". Vice.
  21. ↑ "Foreign travel advice: Afghanistan". Government of the United Kingdom. August 6, 2021. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 "'If I die, It'll be funny I think': A student named 'Lord Miles' is live streaming from Afghanistan after getting 'stuck'". The Daily Dot. August 16, 2021.
  23. ↑ Merrifield, Ryan; Bagnall, Steve (August 16, 2021). "Taliban let English student go after he told them he was Welsh". North Wales Live.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 SABAH, DAILY (August 16, 2021). "Briton in Afghanistan for 'dangerous vacation' stuck in Kabul". Daily Sabah.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Jackson, Matt (August 15, 2021). "Student goes viral after claiming to be 'in a pickle' in Afghanistan". LeicestershireLive. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 "World of dark tourism where thrillseekers risk death in dangerous countries". news.com.au. August 16, 2021.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Ball, Tom; Shadwell, Talia; John, Lucy (August 16, 2021). "Brit in Afghanistan pretended to be Welsh to avoid being captured by Taliban". WalesOnline.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Ball, Tom (August 15, 2021). "British student on holiday in Afghanistan 'accepts death'". The Times. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  29. ↑ "UK student who travelled to Afghanistan for holiday evacuated". BBC News. 2021-08-17. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  30. ↑ Asarch, Steven (August 19, 2021). "A British student seeking 'adventure' went to Afghanistan and escaped as the Taliban took over. Here's how it unfolded". Business Insider. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  31. ↑ @Real_Lord_Miles (April 22, 2022). "I have emptied out my room" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ Walker, William (January 24, 2022). "Brit student who had to be evacuated from Afghanistan holiday plans Ukraine trip". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
  33. ↑ Glenn, Alex (January 24, 2022). "Brit student evacuated from Afghanistan plans next dangerous trip". EuroWeekly News. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
  34. ↑ Shaw, Danny (January 25, 2022). "Miles had to be rescued from Afghanistan- now he's off to Ukraine as Russian invasion looms". The Tab. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
  35. ↑ Gardiner, Cerith (March 18, 2022). "Daring young Catholic journalist empties his savings to help in Ukraine". Aleteia. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
  36. ↑ Mcmanus, Leigh (April 21, 2022). "Brit who went to Ukraine warzone says friends think he'll 'die' on latest 'mystery trip'". Daily Star. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
  37. ↑ Collins, Jayden (May 5, 2022). "British Tourist Reveals Plans To Travel To The 'World's Most Dangerous Island'". LADbible. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
  38. ↑ Thackray, Lucy (May 13, 2022). "Self-Declared 'War Tourist' Aims to Sail £15 Dinghy Along Channel Refugee Route". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022.
  39. ↑ د افغانستان ښکلاګانې؛ د سولې په ټینګېدو سره، له انګلستانه خلک د افغانستان لیدو ته راغلي (British Man Visits Afghanistan With The Establishment of Peace) on YouTube
  40. ↑ @AntelopeHill (November 30, 2022). "We are proud to announce "Lord Miles in Afghanistan" by Lord Miles Routledge is now available to pre-order" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 9, 2023 – via Twitter.
  41. ↑ @AntelopeHill (December 2, 2022). ""Lord Miles in Afghanistan," by Lord Miles Routledge, is now is stock!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 9, 2023 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)
  42. ↑ I Got Kidnapped In Kenya!, retrieved 2023-04-02
  43. ↑ Sneaking into Kazakhstan through a mountain and rapids river, retrieved 2023-04-02
  44. ↑ Goofy Chernobyl tour before the invasion of Ukraine, retrieved 2023-04-02
  45. ↑ Surviving The Most Deadly Island On The Planet. Snake Island!, retrieved 2023-04-02
  46. ↑ "After Having Tea With The Taliban, British Tourist Now Wants To Visit The North Sentinel Island". IndiaTimes. 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  47. ↑ Emmx-Jo [@EmmaJoNYC] (February 25, 2022). "This troll is kind of funny but it's going to take a turn when his government stops saving him from war zones he elected to go to "because lol"" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  48. ↑ @real_lord_miles (December 28, 2022). "The top G himself, Andrew Tate, signed my book!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 9, 2023 – via Twitter. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)
  49. ↑ Wright, George (December 30, 2022). "Andrew Tate detained in Romania over rape and human trafficking case". BBC News Online. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Lord Miles in Afghanistan: Routledge, Miles - Amazon". Amazon (company). Retrieved January 9, 2023.

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