The UK has initiated a covert Afghan relocation program after thousands of applicants' data was exposed, unveiling a complex situation for those fleeing Taliban rule.
UK's Secret Afghan Relocation Scheme Revealed After Major Data Breach
UK's Secret Afghan Relocation Scheme Revealed After Major Data Breach
UK government response to data leak leads to undisclosed resettlement initiative for at-risk Afghans.
The United Kingdom government has reportedly established a top-secret Afghan relocation scheme in the wake of a significant data breach that compromised the details of nearly 19,000 individuals who sought asylum following the Taliban's resurgence. In February 2022, a defense official inadvertently released sensitive information, which subsequently came to light in August 2023 when fragments appeared on social media.
In retaliation for the leak, the government launched an undisclosed resettlement initiative, known as the Afghan Response Route, in April 2024. As of now, approximately 4,500 Afghans have resettled in the UK, with an additional 600 expected to arrive along with their families. The initiative has already incurred costs of around £400 million, with projections indicating further financial obligations ranging between £400 million and £450 million.
Details surrounding the scheme were shrouded in secrecy until a recent ruling from the High Court permitted its disclosure. The data breach was attributed to an unnamed individual at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), who mistakenly disseminated a spreadsheet containing personal details that could endanger the lives of numerous Afghan applicants.
In a recent address in the House of Commons, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that the breach was so severe that an unprecedented injunction had restricted even his dialogue regarding the matter while he served as shadow defense secretary. He classified the leak as a "serious departmental error" and clarified that no police investigation will be pursued by the Metropolitan Police.
The leaked dataset encompassed personal and family details of those who had applied under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap). Initiated amidst the US troop withdrawal in August 2021, the Arap scheme aimed to facilitate the swift relocation of individuals fearing Taliban reprisals. Since its inception, the program has faced substantial backlash, including a 2022 damning inquiry labeling it a "disaster” and "betrayal".
The superinjunction that previously suppressed media revelations has been lifted following a ruling from Mr. Justice Chamberlain, who emphasized the necessity for media accountability in a democratic society. He noted, "The superinjunction had the effect of completely shutting down the ordinary mechanisms of accountability which operate in a democracy," highlighting the importance of transparency in government actions.
This is a developing story, and further updates are anticipated as more details arise.
