The UK has implemented a secret plan to relocate thousands of Afghans to the UK following a major data breach that exposed their personal details and put them at risk from the Taliban. After concerns about retaliation surfaced, previous conservative governments initiated a relocation scheme estimated to cost £2 billion ($2.7 billion).
In early 2022, sensitive information linked to members of Congress and military officers supporting Afghan soldiers was leaked, prompting British Defense Minister John Healy to apologize for the incident during a parliamentary session. He acknowledged it as one of the worst security breaches in UK history, jeopardizing the lives of many who aided British forces before their exit in 2021.
As of May, over 16,000 affected individuals had relocated to the UK under existing schemes, though Healy noted that no additional exiles would be granted due to the leaks. Legal actions are anticipated from those impacted, with lawyers asserting that affected individuals have strong claims for potential compensation.
In light of this incident, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has initiated a review of the leak and the associated relocation processes. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing political climate, which is witnessing an increase in right-wing anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK.
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