UK Parliament Security Committee Probes Afghan Data Leak

UK Parliament Security Committee launches investigation into accidental data leak exposing personal details of thousands of Afghans who supported British forces.

Following the leak of sensitive information about thousands of Afghans who had worked with British forces, the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee has launched a formal investigation. The data, related to more than 30,000 applicants for the Afghan resettlement program, was accidentally shared with someone outside the government.

This disclosure raised serious concerns about possible Taliban retaliation. In response, the UK Ministry of Defence requested a “super-injunction” from the High Court, a legal order so strict that even reporting on its existence was prohibited. This restriction remained in place until last week.

Lord Beith, chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, has demanded that all related documents be handed over immediately for review. He stressed that the classified nature of the information must not be used as an excuse to block parliamentary oversight and accountability.

In the aftermath of the breach, the UK government quietly launched a scheme called the “Afghan Response Pathway” aimed at relocating around 7,000 vulnerable individuals to the UK. The estimated cost of this operation exceeds £850 million.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the Ministry of Defence has announced that it has no plans to compensate those affected. The ministry has also stated it will “vigorously” defend itself against any legal actions arising from the incident.

The leak of such sensitive information has not only endangered the lives of Afghan applicants but also raised serious questions about the UK government’s transparency and accountability in handling data breaches.

The outcome of the parliamentary investigation could play a crucial role in shaping future government policies on data protection and may intensify pressure on the authorities to take responsibility and provide real support for those at risk.

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