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Miles Routledge

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Miles Arthur Le-Vesconte Routledge[1] (born 14 September 1999), more commonly known by the 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 detained by Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence on a third visit to Afghanistan from 2 March 2023[2][3] until October 2023.[4]

Miles Routledge
Routledge in 2024
Personal information
Born (1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 25)
Birmingham, England
NationalityBritish
EducationHollyfield School
Plantsbrook School
Loughborough University
Occupations
  • YouTuber
  • writer
  • Adventurer
YouTube information
ChannelsLord Miles
Years active2020-
Subscribers149,000
Total views6.2 million
Last updated: 10 November 2024

Early life and education

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Routledge, an only child, was born on 14 September 1999 at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield and raised in nearby Falcon Lodge, Birmingham.[5][6] His father was a sperm donor, and Routledge was the product of in vitro fertilisation.[7][8]

He attended Hollyfield Primary School, and completed his sixth form at Plantsbrook School in 2018. From 2014 to 2018, while attending school, Routledge worked part time as a hairdresser.[9][10] After finishing school, he went on to study physics for his first year at Loughborough University. During his second year, Routledge pursued a degree in banking and finance, and established the university's Loughborough Investment Banking Society.[11] Due to the university's concerns about publishing a book of his experience in Afghanistan, as well being asked to pay a fine and undergo diversity training for alleged antisemitic views, he left the university and course.[12] In 2021, he began an online course offered by the Harvard Business School.[13] He was formerly homeless in Birmingham for a few months.[14]

Expeditions

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In 2019, following the Christmas exams of his first term at Loughborough University, Routledge was invited to spend his winter holiday exploring Chernobyl alongside a friend.[15]

Fall of Kabul

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Routledge reportedly in 2021[16] decided to Google, "most dangerous countries to visit." These factors made him want to visit Afghanistan, the country that was being taken over by the Taliban during their 2021 offensive.

In March 2021, he began planning a trip to Afghanistan,[17] saying "I wanted to see what life was like here, and how it was different [...] it's always been on the news since 2001."[18] He also hoped to perform some acts of charity, and see historical Christian sites.[19] The cost of the visa and flight was around £1,000.[18] A self-described extremely online traveler who referred to himself as "based",[18] 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.[18] Routledge spent £15 on a joke purchase which gave him the right to use the title "Lord," which he claimed would ensure his safety.

On 13 August 2021, Routledge arrived in Kabul from Turkey,[20][21] with a return flight scheduled for 19 August.[22] While the ongoing Taliban offensive was at the time not expected to reach the city for months,[18] the FCDO advised against all travel to the whole country, and urged British nationals in Afghanistan to leave immediately.[23] Routledge said in an August 14 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."[24] On 14 August, Routledge and his Afghan tour guide set out to do a "charity day", taking about $30 to purchase food for local children and dogs;[18] numerous chaotic events soon occurred, including a bank run and people firing automatic weapons in the air. With the help of the guide, Routledge attempted to travel to the British embassy disguised as a woman in a burqa.[19] Upon arriving at the embassy, and finding it deserted, they headed for the airport.[19][25]

The city was taken by Taliban forces on 15 August,[20] and Routledge described himself as being "stuck in a pickle";[26][27][22][28] Routledge's posting about the experience on 4chan,[17] Facebook[17] and Twitch[17] gained wide currency.[29] He became known by the nickname "Lord Miles"[24][22] 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.[24][29] Routledge said that he believed the Taliban might see the honorific and believe he was "valuable enough to negotiate an exchange".[24] 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".[18]

In an interview with The Times, he said that he had "accepted death", explaining that "there was no convincing me otherwise and I knew the risks".[29][30][20] While some people had started raising money to help him escape the country, Routledge suggested instead that they give to charity;[24] 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").[24]

By 15 August, 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";[30][28][26] he later found refuge in a safehouse[28][27] (to which his guide had been denied entry since he was not from a NATO country).[19] On 16 August 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";[17] the same day, Routledge said that he expected to leave in an "emergency evacuation".[17] 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".[18]

On 17 August, he was evacuated to Dubai on a British Army plane[31] and had to quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic on return to England.[32]

Later Afghan trips

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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.[33] He left for Afghanistan on 21 April; to get there he had to travel through various countries so he would not be detained.[34][35][36][37][38][39][excessive citations]

While on his trip to Afghanistan in May 2022, Routledge was interviewed by the Afghan television news station Barya TV.[40] 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.[41][42] On 30 November 2022, Miles' book became available for pre-order.[43] The book was published 2 December 2022.[44]

Imprisonment

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Routledge departed for a third holiday to Afghanistan in late February 2023, and was apprehended by the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence on 2 March 2023.[2][3] The GDI also apprehended volunteer medic Kevin Cornwell and an unidentified hotel manager, both being British citizens.[3][45] Routledge was released from Taliban custody in October 2023.[4][46] Routledge described his time of imprisonment as a "holiday" and "living the lap of luxury", saying he was kept in a luxurious guest house, with several Taliban servants, and that he has been treated well during his time there, even being able to buy an Xbox, and being well fed with foods like pizza and kebabs. He recently went back to Afghanistan to visit the GDI (with whom he has developed a connection with) and plans to open businesses such as a gold mine there.[47]

Other trips

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Routledge has also visited the nations of Kazakhstan, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Brazil. Throughout these visits, he was falsely imprisoned by Kenyan police,[48] illegally crossed the border into Kazakhstan,[49] was in Ukraine shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine,[50] and has visited Ilha da Queimada Grande, commonly known as Snake Island, which is generally closed to the public.[51] He has also stated his intentions to visit North Sentinel Island, an island with one of the last remaining isolated Indigenous peoples that have been known to attack outsiders,[52] and for this reason it is illegal by law of the Indian Government to enter.[53] Also, in 2024, Routledge visited Canada, then upon his departure, he was informed by the Canadian government that he was banned from re-entering the country for 5 years on terrorism charges.[54]

Bibliography

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Articles

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  • Routledge, Miles (29 November 2021). "My Time in Chernobyl". The Mallard. Birmingham, West Midlands: The Mallard Publishing Group Ltd.[15]

Books

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Morning Coffee: Banking intern stuck in Afghanistan. Banks that raised salaries once come back for another go". eFinancialCareers. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b Wallen, Joe; Sabur, Rozina (1 April 2023). "British self-styled 'danger tourist' captured by Taliban secret police". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Gault, Matthew (3 April 2023). "Lord Miles Flees Taliban, Publishes Memoir at White Nationalist Press, Gets Captured by Taliban". Vice Motherboard. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b Crew, Jemma (11 October 2023). "Four British men freed after Afghanistan detention". BBC News. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  5. ^ Routledge, Miles [@real_lord_miles] (27 February 2022). "Despite the accent, I grew up in falcon lodge, Birmingham. I knew I'd need to change the chavy accent in order to get into investment banking so I changed my accent" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Routledge, Miles [@real_lord_miles] (5 February 2022). "*only child" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Routledge, Miles [@real_lord_miles] (2 January 2022). "Na it's chill one i estranged myself from because they were beyond helping and also an IVF father" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Routledge, Miles [@real_lord_miles] (16 November 2021). "I need help Twitter. I'm an IVF child and I've been trying to find my dad and my 2 half sisters for years. I hope they're on here" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Meet the team". Theo Georgio. 30 June 2022. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  10. ^ Routledge, Miles [@real_lord_miles] (15 February 2022). "After working part time in a hairdresser since I was 14 until I was 20, I possess the weird skill of sending people to sleep with head massages at a backwash" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Loughborough Investment Banking Society on Facebook
  12. ^ Interviewing @LordMiles In Kabul, 7 October 2022, retrieved 2 January 2024
  13. ^ "Miles Facebook Post". Facebook. 6 March 2021.
  14. ^ Lord Miles [@real_lord_miles] (15 November 2021). "I used to be homeless for a few months, it was rough. I remember the feeling of the cold and the desperation..." (Tweet). Retrieved 2 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ a b Routledge, Miles (29 November 2021). "My Time in Chernobyl". The Mallard UK. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021.
  16. ^ @real_lord_miles (21 April 2022). "I've been planning since august" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Hardy, Jack (16 August 2021). "British student stuck in Kabul after 'danger tourism' stunt backfires". The Telegraph.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h Stokel-Walker, Chris (16 August 2021). "A British 4channer went to Kabul for lulz. Now he's stuck there". Input.
  19. ^ a b c d "We spoke to the British student whose holiday in Kabul went seriously wrong". The Tab. 16 August 2021.
  20. ^ a b c "'No regrets,' says a student stranded in Kabul after planning a trip to the "10 Most Dangerous Countries."". The Washington Newsday.
  21. ^ "Tourist stranded in Kabul says he has 'no regrets' in Afghanistan collapse". NZ Herald. 2 November 2023.
  22. ^ a b c "British College Student 'Lord Miles' Claims He's Stuck in Afghanistan". Vice. 16 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Foreign travel advice: Afghanistan". Government of the United Kingdom. 6 August 2021. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "'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. 16 August 2021.
  25. ^ Merrifield, Ryan; Bagnall, Steve (16 August 2021). "Taliban let English student go after he told them he was Welsh". North Wales Live.
  26. ^ a b SABAH, DAILY (16 August 2021). "Briton in Afghanistan for 'dangerous vacation' stuck in Kabul". Daily Sabah.
  27. ^ a b Jackson, Matt (15 August 2021). "Student goes viral after claiming to be 'in a pickle' in Afghanistan". LeicestershireLive. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  28. ^ a b c "World of dark tourism where thrillseekers risk death in dangerous countries". news.com.au. 16 August 2021.
  29. ^ a b c Ball, Tom; Shadwell, Talia; John, Lucy (16 August 2021). "Brit in Afghanistan pretended to be Welsh to avoid being captured by Taliban". WalesOnline.
  30. ^ a b Ball, Tom (15 August 2021). "British student on holiday in Afghanistan 'accepts death'". The Times. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  31. ^ "UK student who travelled to Afghanistan for holiday evacuated". BBC News. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  32. ^ Asarch, Steven (19 August 2021). "A British student seeking 'adventure' went to Afghanistan and escaped as the Taliban took over. Here's how it unfolded". Business Insider.
  33. ^ @Real_Lord_Miles (21 April 2022). "I have emptied out my room" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Walker, William (24 January 2022). "Brit student who had to be evacuated from Afghanistan holiday plans Ukraine trip". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022.
  35. ^ Glenn, Alex (24 January 2022). "Brit student evacuated from Afghanistan plans next dangerous trip". Euro Weekly News. EuroWeekly News. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022.
  36. ^ Shaw, Danny (25 January 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 13 May 2022.
  37. ^ Gardiner, Cerith (18 March 2022). "Daring young Catholic journalist empties his savings to help in Ukraine". Aleteia. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022.
  38. ^ Collins, Jayden (5 May 2022). "British Tourist Reveals Plans To Travel To The 'World's Most Dangerous Island'". LADbible. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022.
  39. ^ Thackray, Lucy (13 May 2022). "Self-Declared 'War Tourist' Aims to Sail £15 Dinghy Along Channel Refugee Route". The Independent. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022.
  40. ^ BARYA TV (11 May 2022). 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]. YouTube.
  41. ^ @AntelopeHill (15 November 2021). "We have signed a book deal" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  42. ^ @AntelopeHill (15 July 2022). "Scheduled for release late autumn" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  43. ^ @AntelopeHill (30 November 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 9 January 2023 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ @AntelopeHill (2 December 2022). ""Lord Miles in Afghanistan," by Lord Miles Routledge, is now is stock!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Two of three British men being held by Taliban allowed call to families". BBC. 2 April 2023. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023.
  46. ^ Gault, Matthew (10 October 2023). "A Shitposting YouTuber Captured by the Taliban Was Just Freed". Vice. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023.
  47. ^ "Brit danger tourist feared murdered by Taliban is 'alive and living in luxury'". Daily Mirror. 28 September 2023.
  48. ^ I Got Kidnapped In Kenya!, retrieved 2 April 2023
  49. ^ Sneaking into Kazakhstan through a mountain and rapids river, 18 January 2022, retrieved 2 April 2023
  50. ^ Goofy Chernobyl tour before the invasion of Ukraine, 17 April 2022, retrieved 2 April 2023
  51. ^ Surviving The Most Deadly Island On The Planet. Snake Island!, 23 February 2023, retrieved 2 April 2023
  52. ^ "Why Visitors Are Banned From Going to This Isolated Island in the Indian Ocean". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  53. ^ "After Having Tea With The Taliban, British Tourist Now Wants To Visit The North Sentinel Island". IndiaTimes. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  54. ^ @real_lord_miles (30 October 2024). "Been banned from Canada for 5 years" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  55. ^ Routledge, Miles (15 November 2022). Lord Miles in Afghanistan: Routledge, Miles - Amazon. Antelope Hill. ISBN 978-1956887532.
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