Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has staunchly defended his decision to impose a legal injunction preventing media coverage of the airlift of 18,500 Afghans to Britain, even after a significant data leak exposed sensitive details.
Wallace, who served as Defence Secretary from 2019 to 2023, argued that the injunction was necessary to protect national security and the safety of those evacuated from Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover in 2021.
Data Leak Sparks Outrage
The controversy deepened when a government blunder led to the accidental publication of personal data belonging to Afghan evacuees, including those who had worked with British forces. Critics slammed the Ministry of Defence for the breach, which exposed email addresses and names of vulnerable individuals.
Despite the backlash, Wallace remained unapologetic, stating: "My priority was safeguarding lives. The injunction was a necessary measure to prevent further harm."
Political Fallout
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from opposition MPs and press freedom advocates, who argue that the injunction stifled legitimate public interest reporting. Some accused the government of attempting to cover up failures in the evacuation process.
However, Wallace countered these claims, insisting that the media blackout was justified to avoid compromising ongoing operations and endangering evacuees.
Public and Legal Scrutiny
The data leak has also raised questions about the government's handling of sensitive information. Legal experts suggest that affected individuals could pursue compensation for the breach, which violated data protection laws.
As the debate continues, Wallace's stance highlights the tension between national security and transparency in government operations.
