A Parliamentary inquiry has delivered a scathing verdict on the government's handling of the Afghan data breach scandal, revealing bitter infighting ("fratricide") between ministers as they sought to manage the fallout. The Commons Defence Committee's report condemns the use of an unprecedented superinjunction, which blocked reporting and public scrutiny for months, and describes "deeply troubling" chaos within the Ministry of Defence as officials attempted to run a secret relocation scheme alongside their normal duties. The findings matter because they expose failures in transparency and accountability at the heart of government over a scheme with costs estimated at £7billion.

The report, following revelations first exposed by the Daily Mail, criticises the secrecy surrounding the breach, which saw sensitive data – reportedly including the details of Afghans who had assisted British forces – exposed to potential risk. The committee also warns that emergency evacuation efforts for those affected may need to resume, reflecting concerns that safety risks have not been fully resolved despite the vast sums already spent.