The British government's admission of thousands of Afghan local staff and their families into the UK has come to light following a significant data leak. This leak, which occurred in early 2022, exposed the personal details of nearly 19,000 Afghan individuals, putting them at potential risk from the Taliban. In response, the UK launched a secretive program to relocate those most at risk, bringing approximately 4,500 Afghans to safety, with plans to accept more. This initiative, however, came at a substantial financial cost, exceeding £400 million, and is expected to rise further.
The leak, attributed to a mistake by a British official, inadvertently revealed sensitive information and led to a superinjunction that prevented media coverage. Despite this secrecy, a court has now lifted the injunction, allowing the details of the program to be disclosed. Defence Minister John Healey, who has apologized for the breach, emphasized that such a mistake should never have happened. While the secret program has concluded, the UK government has committed to ongoing support for vulnerable Afghans, even as criticism mounts over the handling of the data leak and the subsequent relocation efforts. The episode has sparked a broader conversation about governmental accountability and transparency in handling sensitive data.
