Former Defense Secretary Sir Ben Walse said that he creates “no forgiveness” to prevent a leaking reporting that revealed data about thousands of Afghans who supported British forces.
Writing in the telegraph, Sir Ben said that the decision to apply for prohibitory orders was “not cover-up”.
In February 2022, the details of about 19,000 people applying for visiting the UK under the Afghan transfer and aid policy (ARAP) were leaked. The previous government came to know about Brech in August 2023 when some details were posted on Facebook.
Sir Ben said that when he was informed about the error, he was “determined that the first priority was to save all those who could be at risk”.
He said, “Some people may disagree, but imagine if the Taliban was alerted to the existence of this list. I would be afraid to think what happened,” he said.
A new rehabilitation plan – Afghanistan’s response route – was established for those in the leaked list in April 2024. Around 4,500 Afghans have reached the UK so far.
The cost of the scheme is understood to be around £ 400m, with an estimated final cost of approximately £ 850m.
Details of major data violations, reaction and number of Afghans gave the right to live in Britain, resulting in a High Court judge on Tuesday ruled that the gagging order should be removed.
The leaks had potentially name, contact details and some family information at the risk of damage from the Taliban.
The daughter of an Afghan translator, whose details were leaked, told the BBC’s newsnight program that her entire family “panicked”.
“No one knows where the data is sent – it can be sent to the Taliban, they can put their hand on it,” he said.
His grandmother, who is still in Afghanistan, is “completely weak”, he said.
Downing Street would not confirm whether the officer responsible for the leak had faced disciplinary action, a spokesman said they would not comment on individuals.
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Defense Secretary John Heela said that the person involved in the leak was “no longer doing the same thing”, and offered “honest forgiveness” from the government.
Orthodox leader Kemi Badenoch has also apologized on behalf of his party.
Former orthodox leader Sir Ian Duncan Smith said that Parliament should have been informed about leakage.
He told the BBC world tonight: “Parliament cannot be ignored at that time, we at least credits a duty to the public to investigate it.”
