Why thousands of Afghans were secretly relocated to the UK

This episode of Today in Focus discusses a major data leak involving Afghan asylum applicants to the UK, particularly those who worked with British forces. The problem arose following the fall of Kabul in August 2021 when thousands of Afghans sought refuge, leading to a database containing personal information about nearly 18,700 applicants. In early 2022, an error by a Ministry of Defence official leaked this high-risk information. The issue surfaced again in August 2023 when threats emerged on social media about exposing this sensitive data, prompting a government oversight and a secret relocation scheme known as the Afghan response route.

The Defence Secretary's apology in Parliament indicated the government’s acknowledgment of potentially risking lives, as the leak created fears of Taliban reprisals against those on the lists. The secrecy of the government’s response provoked further controversy, leading to a super injunction that was not disclosed to the public or press. This injunction restricted discussions about the matter, but its eventual lifting allowed the government to come clean about their plans, which involved relocating thousands of Afghans, a process that has incurred substantial costs.

In the aftermath, Labour's government faced scrutiny regarding the financial implications of the relocation effort, with estimates indicating costs could reach billions of pounds. The episode also touches on the broader socio-political reaction in the UK, with significant tension regarding immigration issues. Marzia Babakur-Hele, an Afghan judge, expresses concerns over the ongoing risk to the individuals involved, emphasizing the continued dangers posed by the Taliban, alongside criticisms of those politicizing the issue.