Thousands of Afghans secretly relocated to UK after data leak
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The UK government has admitted to secretly relocating thousands of Afghans after a leaked spreadsheet exposed them to Taliban threats.
Thousands of Afghans Secretly Resettled in UK After Major Data Breach
Secret Resettlement Programme Revealed
The British government has confirmed that thousands of Afghans have been secretly relocated to the UK following a serious data breach that placed them at risk from the Taliban. Many of those resettled had worked closely with British forces during the war in Afghanistan.
Court-Imposed Silence Now Lifted
The programme, known as the Afghan Response Route, was kept from public knowledge under a rare court-imposed “super injunction” that barred both its existence and any reporting on it. On Tuesday, that injunction was officially lifted, coinciding with the government’s decision to announce the programme’s closure.
Accidental Leak of Sensitive Data
According to Defence Secretary John Healey, the data breach occurred in 2022 when a UK Ministry of Defence official accidentally emailed a spreadsheet containing the personal information of nearly 19,000 Afghans applying for resettlement. The data included names, contact details, and personal records that could easily identify them to the Taliban.
Government Delay in Discovering the Breach
The then-Conservative government did not become aware of the breach until 18 months later when some of the compromised data appeared on Facebook. Only then did the government act, seeking legal action to suppress further exposure of the breach.
Apology in Parliament
Speaking in the House of Commons, Defence Secretary Healey offered a public apology: “To all those whose information was compromised, I offer a sincere apology today.” He also criticised the lack of transparency, saying, “I have felt deeply concerned about the lack of openness to Parliament and the public.”
Details of the Secret Relocation Effort
Under the Afghan Response Route, approximately 4,500 Afghans including 900 primary applicants and 3,600 of their family members have already been relocated to the UK. The total number expected to be resettled before the programme ends is around 6,900, according to government figures.
Cost of the Programme and Broader Efforts
The secret resettlement initiative is estimated to have cost British taxpayers £850 million ($1.1 billion). In addition to this programme, the UK has relocated around 36,000 Afghans through other official resettlement routes since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.
Criticism Over Delays and Exclusions
Despite the government’s efforts, human rights groups and lawyers argue that thousands of Afghans who supported UK forces particularly as interpreters and local allies remain stranded in danger zones. Many face the risk of imprisonment, torture, or death under Taliban rule.
Legal Action and Human Impact
Sean Humber, a lawyer with the firm Leigh Day who has represented multiple Afghan applicants, described the leak as “catastrophic,” saying it caused “anxiety, fear and distress” to those affected. Many Afghans, once assured of UK protection, were suddenly made vulnerable due to the disclosure of their identities.
Call for Broader Accountability
While the current Labour government has taken steps to make the situation public, campaigners argue that more must be done. They are calling for a thorough investigation into how the breach happened, why it took so long to detect, and how many more eligible individuals have been left behind.
Looking Ahead
With the Afghan Response Route winding down, attention now shifts to the fate of those still hoping to find safety in the UK. Advocacy groups continue to urge the government to reopen application windows and extend support to at-risk individuals and their families who remain in Afghanistan.
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