Defence secretary revealed sensitive Afghan data breach details – but media still banned from reporting it
Healey revealed Afghan data breach details to MPs - but media gagged
- 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.