LONDON: Over 100 British officials, including MI6 agents, SAS operatives, Members of Parliament, and government ministers, were named in a significant data breach linked to the UK’s Afghan evacuation efforts, according to a report by The Independent.
The breach occurred in February 2022, when a Ministry of Defence (MoD) official mistakenly shared sensitive information containing personal details of thousands of Afghan nationals who had applied for relocation to the UK. Many of these individuals feared Taliban retribution for their collaboration with British forces.
The incident was considered so serious that it prompted an unprecedented two-year superinjunction, barring media outlets from reporting on it. However, following recent court disclosures, the gag order has been lifted, revealing that British intelligence and special forces personnel were among those affected by the leak.
The Intelligence and Security Committee, a parliamentary watchdog overseeing UK intelligence services, has sharply criticised the level of secrecy. Its chair, Lord Beamish, stated that there was “no justification” for withholding the intelligence assessments used to enforce the injunction and has demanded that they now be disclosed to Parliament.
Former Armed Forces Minister James Heappey, who held office during the time of the breach, described the revelation as “gut-wrenching.” He acknowledged that while the MoD official responsible had acted with good intentions, the consequences were severe. Heappey also raised doubts about the reliability of the intelligence used to deny entry to Afghan special forces operatives — known as the “Triples” — who had fought alongside British troops.
The newly revealed details are likely to spark fresh scrutiny over the UK government’s handling of both the Afghan evacuation and the treatment of former allies left behind in the aftermath of the Taliban’s return to power.
