Ministers would repeat the Afghan superinjunction scandal – as row breaks out over thousands who served Britain who are now ‘abandoned’ to Taliban reprisals
The Ministry of Defence says it would use a superinjunction again if needed to keep information about a major Afghan data breach secret. The disclosure comes amid criticism that thousands of Afghans who worked alongside British forces and have been offered sanctuary remain in danger under Taliban rule, without clear help to reach safety.
A data breach exposed 100,000 Afghans to possible Taliban reprisals. Around 3,000 people eligible to come to Britain have not received UK help to leave Afghanistan, and MPs say half of those offered sanctuary have yet to reach a third country safely, lawfully and affordably. Ministers introduced a requirement for them to move themselves to another country within 12 months; one former interpreter said a family visa bill could reach $10,000 (£7,400).
- Ministers say they could use the Afghan data breach gagging order again.
- About 3,000 Afghans offered sanctuary lack UK help to escape.
- MPs say many cannot safely or affordably reach a third country.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A superinjunction can be defended as a necessary, temporary safeguard when publishing information about a breach could expose vulnerable people to retaliation or compromise efforts to protect them. Ministers may argue that secrecy gives the Government time to assess risks and arrange safe routes, while expecting people offered sanctuary to move to a third country could help manage practical and security constraints.
The case against
Keeping the breach secret, especially under an order that restricts reporting, can be argued to weaken public scrutiny and delay accountability for a failure that put people at risk. Those who served alongside British forces may reasonably expect Britain to provide practical help to reach safety; requiring them to find and fund a route themselves can leave families exposed to reprisals and make the promise of sanctuary inaccessible.