UK’s Secret Afghan Relocation Scheme Exposed as Superinjunction Lifted After Major Data Breach
UK’s Secret Afghan Relocation Scheme Exposed as Superinjunction Lifted After Major Data Breach
A long-standing superinjunction has been lifted, revealing that Britain secretly relocated thousands of Afghans to the UK following a severe data breach by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in early 2022. The highly confidential scheme, prompted by fears of Taliban reprisals against those whose personal details were leaked, is estimated to have cost the government approximately £2 billion ($2.7 billion).
The data leak, which saw sensitive information published on Facebook in 2023, is considered one of the worst security breaches in modern British history due to the potential risk to lives. Defence Minister John Healey issued a formal apology in the House of Commons, acknowledging the incident should never have occurred and expressing regret to all affected, despite the breach happening under the previous Conservative government.
The secret program has seen around 4,500 Afghans and their families brought to the UK. However, Healey confirmed that no further asylum offers would be made under this scheme, citing a recent government review that found minimal evidence of the Taliban actively seeking retribution against former officials. This review’s summary was also made public on Tuesday.
The revelation comes as Britain faces significant public finance pressures and a shifting political landscape. The government is also bracing for potential lawsuits from those impacted by the breach, with legal experts suggesting strong claims for substantial compensation are likely.
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