UK Government Faces Scrutiny Over Afghan Data Breach and Secret Resettlement Scheme
Published 16 July 2025
Highlights
- A data breach in February 2022 exposed details of nearly 19,000 Afghans who supported British forces, leading to a superinjunction to prevent reporting.
- The superinjunction was lifted recently, revealing a secret resettlement scheme costing £850 million to relocate 6,900 Afghans to the UK.
- Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps pushed for the superinjunction to remain, while Labour leader Keir Starmer criticized the Conservative government's handling.
- The Ministry of Defence believes 600 Afghan soldiers and 1,800 family members remain in Afghanistan.
- The Commons defence committee plans to hold an inquiry into the data breach and the government's response.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: UK Government Faces Scrutiny Over Afghan Data Breach and Secret Resettlement Scheme
The UK government is under intense scrutiny following revelations of a significant data breach involving nearly 19,000 Afghans who supported British forces. The breach, which occurred in February 2022, exposed sensitive personal information and led to the imposition of a superinjunction to prevent public reporting. This legal measure, recently lifted, has unveiled a secretive resettlement initiative known as the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR).
Data Breach and Superinjunction
The data breach came to light when details were mistakenly posted on Facebook, prompting the Conservative government to seek a four-month injunction. This was later converted into a superinjunction, which barred any mention of the court order itself. Former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace defended the injunction, stating it was necessary to protect those at risk from the Taliban. However, the superinjunction's existence and the breach's details were only disclosed after a High Court review determined that the Taliban likely already had access to the leaked information.
Secret Resettlement Scheme
The lifting of the superinjunction has also brought to light the Afghanistan Response Route, a resettlement scheme established in April 2024. The initiative aimed to relocate 6,900 Afghans to the UK at a projected cost of £850 million. Despite its closure, the scheme has successfully brought 4,500 individuals to the UK. The Ministry of Defence estimates that 600 Afghan soldiers and 1,800 family members remain in Afghanistan.
Political Reactions and Inquiry
The handling of the data breach and the secretive nature of the resettlement scheme have drawn criticism from Labour leader Keir Starmer, who emphasized the need for accountability from former Conservative ministers. Starmer welcomed an inquiry by the Commons defence committee, which aims to investigate the breach and the government's response. Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who advocated for maintaining the superinjunction, has yet to comment on the matter.
Constitutional Concerns
The superinjunction has raised constitutional concerns, as it prevented parliamentary scrutiny and debate. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle highlighted the significant issues posed by the injunction, which kept MPs in the dark about the breach and its implications.
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Scenario Analysis
The lifting of the superinjunction and the subsequent revelations could lead to significant political and legal repercussions for the Conservative Party. The upcoming inquiry by the Commons defence committee may uncover further details about the government's handling of the data breach and the resettlement scheme, potentially leading to calls for a broader public inquiry. Additionally, the exposure of the secret scheme may prompt a reevaluation of the use of superinjunctions in government affairs, with potential reforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the future. As the situation unfolds, the safety and relocation of the remaining Afghan soldiers and their families will remain a critical concern for both the UK government and international observers.
The UK government is under intense scrutiny following revelations of a significant data breach involving nearly 19,000 Afghans who supported British forces. The breach, which occurred in February 2022, exposed sensitive personal information and led to the imposition of a superinjunction to prevent public reporting. This legal measure, recently lifted, has unveiled a secretive resettlement initiative known as the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR).
Data Breach and Superinjunction
The data breach came to light when details were mistakenly posted on Facebook, prompting the Conservative government to seek a four-month injunction. This was later converted into a superinjunction, which barred any mention of the court order itself. Former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace defended the injunction, stating it was necessary to protect those at risk from the Taliban. However, the superinjunction's existence and the breach's details were only disclosed after a High Court review determined that the Taliban likely already had access to the leaked information.
Secret Resettlement Scheme
The lifting of the superinjunction has also brought to light the Afghanistan Response Route, a resettlement scheme established in April 2024. The initiative aimed to relocate 6,900 Afghans to the UK at a projected cost of £850 million. Despite its closure, the scheme has successfully brought 4,500 individuals to the UK. The Ministry of Defence estimates that 600 Afghan soldiers and 1,800 family members remain in Afghanistan.
Political Reactions and Inquiry
The handling of the data breach and the secretive nature of the resettlement scheme have drawn criticism from Labour leader Keir Starmer, who emphasized the need for accountability from former Conservative ministers. Starmer welcomed an inquiry by the Commons defence committee, which aims to investigate the breach and the government's response. Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who advocated for maintaining the superinjunction, has yet to comment on the matter.
Constitutional Concerns
The superinjunction has raised constitutional concerns, as it prevented parliamentary scrutiny and debate. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle highlighted the significant issues posed by the injunction, which kept MPs in the dark about the breach and its implications.
What this might mean
The lifting of the superinjunction and the subsequent revelations could lead to significant political and legal repercussions for the Conservative Party. The upcoming inquiry by the Commons defence committee may uncover further details about the government's handling of the data breach and the resettlement scheme, potentially leading to calls for a broader public inquiry. Additionally, the exposure of the secret scheme may prompt a reevaluation of the use of superinjunctions in government affairs, with potential reforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the future. As the situation unfolds, the safety and relocation of the remaining Afghan soldiers and their families will remain a critical concern for both the UK government and international observers.
