A major security breach at the UK’s Ministry of Defence in 2022 exposed the identities of over 100 British intelligence and military personnel, including MI6 agents and special forces operatives, alongside sensitive data for nearly 19,000 Afghan nationals who aided UK forces during the war in Afghanistan. The incident, kept hidden for years under a court-ordered superinjunction, has now come to light after the gag order was lifted this week, revealing a sprawling crisis with potential costs nearing £7 billion ($9 billion).
According to reports by the BBC and other outlets, the breach originated from a mistakenly sent email in February 2022 containing an unredacted spreadsheet of Afghan applicants for UK resettlement. These individuals, fearing Taliban retaliation, had their names, contact details, and affiliations with British forces compromised. The document also inadvertently listed UK personnel embedded with Afghan units. While the error was initially downplayed, the breach reignited in 2023 when a Facebook user in Afghanistan posted portions of the data and threatened to release more, prompting urgent government intervention.
Authorities secured a secret court order to suppress reporting on the leak while launching a clandestine relocation program for at-risk Afghans. However, those affected were reportedly not informed of the exposure, despite the Taliban’s history of targeting perceived collaborators. To date, 4,500 Afghans and their families have been evacuated to the UK under the scheme, with Justice Chamberlain, the judge who lifted the injunction, estimating the long-term costs of housing and resettlement could run “into several billion pounds.” Analysts suggest the total financial impact, including operational overhauls and legal liabilities, may approach £7 billion.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey issued a public apology, calling the incident a “grave failure” and acknowledging the risks posed to Afghans and British personnel. When pressed on whether the leak led to fatalities, Healey stated he could not “say for sure,” underscoring the lingering uncertainties. The exposure of intelligence operatives marks one of the most severe security lapses in recent UK history, raising questions about data handling protocols and accountability within defence institutions.
The breach’s disclosure coincides with heightened scrutiny of Britain’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, during which many local allies were left vulnerable to reprisals. While the government emphasizes its ongoing relocation efforts, critics argue the delayed response and lack of transparency exacerbated risks for those named in the leaked files. As details emerge, the scandal highlights the enduring human and financial toll of safeguarding vulnerable populations entangled in conflict-era partnerships.
