Secret Afghan relocation scheme set up after major data breach

Thousands of Afghans have been moved to the UK under a secret scheme which was set up after a British official inadvertently leaked their data, it can be revealed.

In February 2022, the personal details of nearly 19,000 people who had applied to move to the UK after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan were leaked.

The previous government learned of the breach in August 2023 and created a new resettlement scheme nine months later. It has seen 4,500 Afghans arrive in the UK, with a further 600 people and their immediate families still to arrive.

The existence of the leak and relocation scheme were kept secret for more than three years after the government obtained a superinjunction.

Details of the major data breach, the response and the…