The UK government established a covert scheme to facilitate the relocation of Afghans after a serious breach leaked sensitive information about nearly 19,000 individuals who sought refuge in the UK post-Taliban takeover. In February 2022, a British defence official mistakenly released a dataset containing the personal information of these applicants, which raised grave concerns for their safety.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) only became aware of the leak in August 2023 when some details surfaced on Facebook. In response, the government initiated a secret resettlement program, now known as the Afghan Response Route, aimed at safeguarding those at risk. As of now, 4,500 Afghans have been relocated to the UK, with an additional 600 expected to arrive soon. The undertaking has incurred costs of approximately £400 million, with anticipations of similar expenses in the future.
This secret route was shrouded in confidentiality due to a High Court injunction that has now been lifted, allowing details to be shared publicly. Defence Secretary John Healey, who was previously barred from discussing the breach, acknowledged the incident as a "serious departmental error." He revealed that the breach involved an unauthorised email containing personal information, including names and family details of applicants seeking refuge via the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) program, set up to assist those at risk of Taliban reprisal during the US withdrawal in August 2021.
Despite criticisms regarding the handling of the Arap program, which a 2022 inquiry labeled a "disaster," this recent breach has raised alarm over the safety of those involved. The leaked document's authorship lies with an unnamed individual from the MoD, and while the Metropolitan Police decided against an investigation, the fallout of the breach remains severe.
A judge from the Royal Courts of Justice remarked that the injunction had created a "scrutiny vacuum," stifling democratic accountability and free speech. This unfolding situation continues to develop, with further updates expected in the coming days.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) only became aware of the leak in August 2023 when some details surfaced on Facebook. In response, the government initiated a secret resettlement program, now known as the Afghan Response Route, aimed at safeguarding those at risk. As of now, 4,500 Afghans have been relocated to the UK, with an additional 600 expected to arrive soon. The undertaking has incurred costs of approximately £400 million, with anticipations of similar expenses in the future.
This secret route was shrouded in confidentiality due to a High Court injunction that has now been lifted, allowing details to be shared publicly. Defence Secretary John Healey, who was previously barred from discussing the breach, acknowledged the incident as a "serious departmental error." He revealed that the breach involved an unauthorised email containing personal information, including names and family details of applicants seeking refuge via the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) program, set up to assist those at risk of Taliban reprisal during the US withdrawal in August 2021.
Despite criticisms regarding the handling of the Arap program, which a 2022 inquiry labeled a "disaster," this recent breach has raised alarm over the safety of those involved. The leaked document's authorship lies with an unnamed individual from the MoD, and while the Metropolitan Police decided against an investigation, the fallout of the breach remains severe.
A judge from the Royal Courts of Justice remarked that the injunction had created a "scrutiny vacuum," stifling democratic accountability and free speech. This unfolding situation continues to develop, with further updates expected in the coming days.
