Senior government ministers involved in the handling of a 2022 data breach that exposed the identities of Afghan nationals who supported British forces maintain they would respond similarly if faced with the same situation again. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) acknowledged the leak potentially placed 100,000 Afghans at risk from the Taliban, but insisted the decision to impose a legal gagging order to keep the breach secret was justified.

The unauthorized disclosure, which was uncovered by the media but kept under a superinjunction until it was lifted in 2025, sparked a year-long inquiry by the Defence Committee. The panel criticized ministers for concealing the breach, highlighting the danger it posed to individuals who had worked alongside UK forces during the conflict.

According to the MoD, approximately half of the affected individuals remain in Afghanistan, despite efforts to facilitate their relocation. Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Defence Committee, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that those named had put their lives at risk by supporting British military operations.

In response to the committee’s condemnation, the Government maintained that decisions regarding such legal restrictions should rest with the “government of the day.” Officials further noted that early evidence indicated many eligible Afghans had been able to “self-move” to safer locations, though details surrounding the effectiveness of these moves were not elaborated.

The incident has drawn continued scrutiny over the balance between transparency and security, highlighting the challenges in protecting vulnerable allies while managing sensitive information within government protocols.