Details of SAS and MI6 officers are among the personal information of over 100 Britons accidentally leaked in a database of 18,700 Afghans, defence sources have confirmed. The leak, which occurred when a defence official inadvertently shared the data, led to a secret relocation scheme for thousands of Afghans at risk from the Taliban.
The highly sensitive document contained names and email addresses of individuals sponsoring or linked to Afghan applications for relocation to the UK. Defence sources said the dataset also referenced a 'secret route' for Afghans to enter the country. The identities of SAS and MI6 personnel are normally closely guarded, and the potential exposure caused significant official concern.
The Ministry of Defence obtained a superinjunction to prevent disclosure of the leak, which lapsed on Tuesday after a High Court judge ruled the threat to the Afghans was no longer very significant. Further restrictions were relaxed on Thursday. Defence Secretary John Healey issued a 'sincere apology' for the breach, stating the spreadsheet contained names and contact details of applicants, and in some cases, names of MPs, senior military officers, and government officials who supported applications.
The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) will scrutinise the affair, following an inquiry by the Commons defence select committee. The ISC has requested all intelligence assessments shared with the High Court be provided to them. The MoD welcomed the review, with a spokesperson confirming full support for parliamentary committees.
The decision to seek the injunction was first taken by then-Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in August 2023. His successor, Grant Shapps, maintained the gagging order while developing a secret relocation scheme for about 15,000 Afghans. The scheme was discussed in the cabinet's domestic and economic affairs committee, with then-armed forces minister James Heappey noting 'frustrated resignation' that it was necessary.
