UK's Secret Afghan Relocation Scheme Revealed After Data Breach

The UK government established a secret relocation scheme for Afghans after nearly 19,000 personal data records were leaked inadvertently. The new initiative comes in response to the Taliban's takeover and aims to assist those at risk, having already facilitated the arrival of 4,500 individuals.

The UK government has confirmed the establishment of a secret Afghan relocation scheme following a significant data breach that placed thousands of applicants at risk. This revelation comes after a dataset was accidentally released by a British defence official in February 2022, exposing the details of nearly 19,000 individuals who sought to relocate to the UK following the Taliban's takeover.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) was made aware of the breach in August 2023 when some personal information was anonymously shared on social media platforms. In reaction to this serious error, the government implemented a classified resettlement initiative, which has already seen around 4,500 Afghans settle in the UK, with an additional 600 individuals and their families expected to arrive shortly.

The secret Afghan Response Route, launched in April 2024, incurred initial costs of approximately £400 million, with projections indicating future expenditures may reach between £400 and £450 million. Until recently, the details surrounding this scheme were protected by a High Court injunction, which has now been lifted, allowing for public disclosure.

According to Defence Secretary John Healey, the data breach, caused by a spreadsheet being mistakenly sent outside authorised government channels, contained sensitive information about Afghans at grave risk from the Taliban. He noted that this incident is part of a larger pattern of data losses tied to the chaotic evacuation efforts following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2021.

The leaked information encompassed names, personal details, and family data of those who applied for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme, which aimed to expedite the relocation of individuals fearing Taliban retaliatory actions. This scheme has faced substantial criticism since its inception, with a 2022 inquiry branding it a "disaster" and a "betrayal" of its intended purpose.

The High Court's ruling to lift the injunction was grounded in concerns over free speech, with Mr Justice Chamberlain stating that the previous order had hindered democratic accountability and established a "scrutiny vacuum" around the matter. The MoD has yet to clarify how many individuals may have been harmed due to the data breach, amid indications that the police have decided against pursuing further investigation.

This developing story will continue to be updated as more details emerge. For real-time updates, follow our live news coverage or download the appropriate app for smartphone notifications.