Thousands of Afghans have moved to the UK under a secret scheme which was set up after a British official inadvertently leaked their data, it can be revealed. In February 2022, the personal details of nearly 19,000 people who had applied to move to the UK after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan were leaked.

News of the data breach came to light when British Defence Secretary, John Healey, informed the parliament that the gag order banning the discussion, and that the Afghanistan Response Route had been closed.

Details about the blunder can finally be made public after a judge lifted a court injunction that had been sought by the government.