UK relocates thousands of Afghans in response to leaked personal data

A confidential UK government scheme was launched to relocate thousands of Afghans after a Ministry of Defence (MoD) data breach exposed personal information of individuals who had applied for asylum in Britain following the Taliban's return to power.

The leak, which occurred in early 2022, involved the mistaken emailing of a spreadsheet to an external party, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The file contained names and details of Afghans who had worked with British authorities prior to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The information was later published on Facebook in 2023.

The former Conservative government implemented the secret relocation programme in response, concerned that those affected could be subject to reprisals. The operation, estimated to cost the taxpayer around £2 billion ($2.7 billion), was shielded from public scrutiny under a rare superinjunction—preventing any reporting of its existence. That injunction was lifted on July 15 following a court ruling.

Defence Secretary John Healey issued a formal apology in the House of Commons, acknowledging the gravity of the breach. “This serious data incident should never have happened,” Healey said. “It may have occurred three years ago under the previous government, but to all whose data was compromised I offer a sincere apology.”

Details of the breach reportedly included communications involving members of Parliament and senior British military figures who had supported relocation requests. The breach is being regarded as one of the most serious security failures in modern British history, due to both the scope and the potential danger posed to affected Afghans.

According to government figures, about 4,500 individuals and their family members have so far been relocated—or are en route—to the UK under the previously undisclosed scheme. A broader government review revealed that over 16,000 people impacted by the breach have been resettled in Britain, many through existing asylum channels.

However, Healey confirmed that no further asylum claims would be granted under the scheme, referencing a review which found limited evidence of a Taliban campaign to target former UK-affiliated Afghans.

The financial implications of the incident continue to mount, with legal action already under way. Human rights lawyer Sean Humber, who represents several Afghan claimants, said those affected likely have “strong claims for substantial compensation” due to the psychological distress and risk caused by the breach.

The revelation comes at a politically sensitive time, as the UK grapples with tight public finances and rising support for the anti-immigration Reform UK party in the polls.

British forces were active in Afghanistan from 2001 until the conclusion of combat operations in 2014. 

Many Afghans who worked alongside UK personnel during that period were promised protection and support in the event of Taliban resurgence—promises now tested under extraordinary circumstances.

By Aghakazim Guliyev