A secret UK relocation scheme for Afghan refugees, established following a February 2022 data breach exposing nearly 19,000 applicants' details, has been revealed. The scheme, costing approximately £800 million, facilitated the relocation of 4,500 Afghans, with 600 more expected. The existence of both the breach and scheme were kept secret under a superinjunction until a High Court ruling this week. Defence Secretary John Healey apologized for the "serious departmental error" and stated an independent review deemed the risk to individuals as "highly unlikely", but still justified the scheme.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.