Healey revealed Afghan data breach details to MPs - but media gagged

WorldPolitics
17 Jul 2025 • 9:41 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • The Defence Secretary, John Healey, apologised for a significant Ministry of Defence data breach that exposed details of Afghans seeking evacuation to the UK.
  • A two-year superinjunction preventing media from reporting on the breach was lifted, but a new gagging order was immediately imposed.
  • Despite the new injunction, Mr Healey disclosed some previously secret details about the breach to MPs in parliament.
  • Media organisations, including The Independent, are challenging the fresh injunction at the High Court, which the MoD argues is necessary for national security.
  • The breach, which occurred in February 2022, triggered a covert government operation to evacuate 16,000 Afghans, with ministers initially concealing the true reason from parliament.

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