Ben Wallace Defends Injunction Over Leaked Afghan Data

Former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace has defended his decision to seek an injunction, aiming to prevent the disclosure of sensitive data that exposed the personal information of Afghan nationals who had assisted British forces. Wallace emphasized that the primary motivation behind this action was to safeguard the vulnerable individuals whose data had been compromised.

The data breach, which occurred in February 2022, resulted in the exposure of personal details belonging to nearly 19,000 individuals who had applied for relocation to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap). This included names, contact information, and some family details, potentially making these individuals targets for the Taliban. The government became aware of the breach in August 2023, when some of the data appeared on Facebook. The severity of the situation prompted Wallace to act swiftly, prioritizing the safety of those affected.

In his defense, Wallace stated, “I make no apology for seeking an injunction.” He maintained that the primary concern was to protect those at risk. The potential consequences of the leak, including the targeting of individuals by the Taliban, were of utmost importance.

In response to the data breach, the Afghanistan Response Route was established in April 2024, designed for those affected. Approximately 4,500 Afghans have since arrived in the UK under this scheme. The estimated cost of the scheme is around £400 million, with a projected total cost of around £850 million.

The details of the data breach, the government’s response, and the number of Afghans granted the right to live in the UK only recently came to light after a High Court judge lifted the gagging order. The information was previously kept secret to protect the compromised individuals.

The emotional impact on those affected was highlighted by the daughter of an Afghan translator, whose information was exposed. She expressed the family’s fear, knowing the information could be used to harm them. The family’s experience underscores the importance of the government’s decisions.

Current Defence Secretary John Healey and former Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch offered apologies on behalf of their respective parties. Concerns were raised by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who said that Parliament should have been informed about the leak, emphasizing transparency and accountability.