Britain secretly launched a multibillion-pound relocation scheme to carry hundreds of Afghans to the U.Okay. after one of many worst information breaches in its historical past uncovered delicate private particulars, putting them susceptible to Taliban reprisals.
The operation, initiated below the earlier Conservative authorities, adopted a 2022 Ministry of Defence (MoD) leak that by accident disclosed personal data of Afghans who labored with British forces. The information was later revealed on Facebook, elevating fears of retribution because the Taliban consolidated energy.
Concerns over the protection of these affected led to a covert relocation program involving roughly 4,500 folks and costing taxpayers an estimated £2 billion ($2.7 billion). The initiative remained below a court-imposed superinjunction — stopping media protection — till it was lifted Tuesday.
Defence Minister John Healey issued a proper apology in Parliament, acknowledging the MoD’s grave failure.
“This serious data incident should never have happened,” Healey mentioned. “It may have occurred under the previous government, but to all whose data was compromised, I offer a sincere apology.”
The leak included correspondence from members of Parliament and senior navy figures who had supported the Afghan candidates’ relocation.
Healey famous that, regardless of the size of the breach, a latest overview concluded there was little proof the Taliban had actively sought retribution. As such, no extra Afghan asylum purposes linked to the incident will probably be thought-about.
The overview’s abstract, additionally launched Tuesday, mentioned greater than 16,000 Afghans have been relocated to the U.Okay. because the Taliban’s return to energy in 2021, although many have been introduced in below separate resettlement applications.
Legal challenges are mounting as affected people search compensation. Sean Humber, a lawyer at Leigh Day, mentioned victims of the leak “are likely to have strong claims for substantial compensation” as a result of misery and worry prompted.
The breach occurred when a spreadsheet containing names and private particulars of Afghan allies was mistakenly emailed to somebody exterior authorities techniques.
The Conservative authorities on the time secured the superinjunction, arguing that disclosing the breach may expose people to severe hurt or demise. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new Labour-led authorities, elected final July, reviewed the order and approved its removing.
The incident comes because the U.Okay. faces mounting stress over public spending and rising anti-immigration sentiment, with the right-wing Reform U.Okay. occasion gaining floor in opinion polls.
British troops have been first deployed to Afghanistan in 2001, following the 9/11 assaults, and remained engaged in fight till 2014. Thousands of Afghan interpreters and native employees labored alongside British forces till the chaotic withdrawal in 2021.
Source: www.dailysabah.com