A catastrophic Ministry of Defence data breach that exposed the details of thousands of Afghans seeking refuge in the UK was kept secret for nearly two years under an unprecedented superinjunction, The Independent has revealed. The leak, which occurred in February 2022, compromised sensitive information about applicants to the MoD’s Arap resettlement scheme – a programme for Afghans who had supported British forces and now feared Taliban reprisals.
Officials launched a top-secret response, codenamed Operation Rubific, resulting in the covert evacuation of more than 16,000 people to the UK. The government was prepared to relocate up to 42,000 in total at a projected cost of £7bn. The extraordinary cover-up meant MPs, the public and even many within Whitehall were kept in the dark.
A court battle led by The Independent and other media finally overturned the superinjunction this week, raising serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the treatment of those who risked their lives for Britain. Reactions from readers have been swift and damning, touching on moral responsibility, government secrecy, institutional incompetence, and the human cost of this breach.
Many drew parallels with past scandals, while others demanded consequences and urgent reform. One reader commented: 'The way we treated these people who helped us at great risk is a national shame.' Another questioned: 'Has the person who sent the email been sacked and prosecuted for breaching confidentiality as well as costing the country some £400m?'
The government needs to ensure that 10 per cent of evacuees do not end up homeless, as they suggested could be the case in October 2024. The Independent's investigation has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for accountability and reform.
