Over 100 Britons, including spies and special forces, exposed in Afghan data leak

Details of spies and special forces were included in a massive data leak that led to thousands of Afghans being secretly relocated to the UK. Information about more than 100 Britons was contained in the breach. Defence sources have said that details of MI6 spies, SAS and special forces personnel were included in the spreadsheet, after they had backed Afghans who had applied to be brought to the UK.

It comes after the personal information of nearly 19,000 people who applied for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap), was released 'in error' in February 2022 by a defence official. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) became aware of the breach in August 2023, when excerpts from a spreadsheet containing personal information were anonymously posted on a Facebook group.

After a super-injunction - imposed in September 2023 that blocked coverage of the leak - was lifted on Tuesday, Defence Secretary John Healey offered a 'sincere apology' on behalf of the government. 'This was a serious departmental error,' he added. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge also apologised on behalf of the former Conservative government.

Between 80,000 and 100,000 people were affected by the breach. Judges said in June last year that they could be at risk of harassment, torture or death if the Taliban obtained their information. The MoD said the relocation costs alone, directly linked to the data breach, will be around £850m.

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