Ruth Davidson has mounted a strong defence of UK aid spending after a visit to Afghanistan.

The Scottish Conservative leader spent four days in Kabul this week with the Dumfries and Galloway-based Halo Trust, the world’s largest humanitarian mine clearance operation and an organisation previously championed by Princess Diana.

“With so much attention on the work of NGOs this week for all the wrong reasons, it has been a privilege to come to Afghanistan and see this life-changing work in one of the most difficult regions on earth,” Davidson said.

“This is the real story of what aid money can achieve. It is changing lives, and the world, for the better.”

Her comments came after the Oxfam sexual misconduct scandal prompted some Conservatives, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, to put pressure on Theresa May to cut the commitment to spend 0.7% of UK national income on foreign aid.

Describing the trust as “one of the great Scottish success stories”, Davidson said: “The UK government has recognised the importance of this work and how vital it is in helping some of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world to develop and become safer, more prosperous places.

“This means they can recover to the point where they no longer need help from the international community.”

James Cowan of the Halo Trust said: “Not many politicians get to visit Afghanistan and it takes a certain sort to face its dangers only a few days after some major attacks.

“Ruth saw for herself the work of the 3,500 Halo staff who work across the country. She also witnessed the amazing contribution that UK DfID [Department for International Development] is making to clearing the country of landmines. DfID’s support is saving lives and creating livelihoods.”