In a rare and serious admission, the British government has acknowledged a 2022 data breach that exposed personal details of more than 18,000 Afghans who had worked with British forces before the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. The breach, previously hidden from the public and most members of Parliament, was revealed by Defense Secretary John Healey in a statement on Tuesday.
The incident had been kept under wraps due to a “super injunction” — a powerful British legal tool that prevents not only the publication of sensitive stories but also the reporting of the existence of such legal restrictions. The use of this legal shield had drawn criticism for stifling press freedom.
How the Breach Happened
The breach occurred when a defense official mistakenly sent a file outside official communication channels. The file related to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), which was designed for individuals who had worked with or for British forces.
The sender believed the spreadsheet contained details of 150 applicants. In reality, it included personal information for 18,714 Afghans, including some family members. This error remained undiscovered until August 2023, when details of nine individuals were found circulating on social media.
The Secret Resettlement Plan
Following the discovery, the Conservative-led government at the time quietly launched a new relocation initiative known as the Afghan Response Route. The program has since helped resettle around 4,500 Afghans in the UK, at a cost of roughly $537 million. An additional 600 people, along with their immediate families, are expected to arrive.
Mr. Healey announced that the secret program is now being shut down. “I’m closing this resettlement route, I am disclosing the data loss, and I am confirming that the court order was lifted at noon, today,” he told Parliament. He emphasized the importance of transparency, saying he had been “deeply concerned about the lack of transparency to the public and to Parliament.”
Limited Taliban Threat, Says Report
According to the report accompanying Healey’s statement, there is little evidence that the Taliban intended to pursue a campaign of retribution against those listed in the leaked data. The report also downplayed the likelihood that the spreadsheet would directly lead to Taliban action against the individuals involved.
Still, the scale of the exposure raises serious questions about departmental oversight and data protection within the Ministry of Defence.
A Sensitive Time for Immigration Policy
This disclosure lands at a politically delicate time for the UK. Immigration, particularly involving asylum seekers and legal migration, has become a flashpoint issue. The government has faced criticism over rising numbers of arrivals and how such cases are handled.
Despite the secrecy surrounding the Afghan Response Route, figures from the scheme had been quietly included in the official immigration statistics.
A Public Apology
In closing, Mr. Healey offered a “sincere apology” to those affected by the breach, calling the incident “a serious departmental error.” His candor contrasts with the previous administration’s decision to keep the incident under wraps using legal restrictions.
As the resettlement route shuts down, questions remain about accountability and how such a major breach was hidden for so long.
