Second MOD data breach uncovered putting safety of Afghan interpreters at risk

Dozens of people who may be eligible to come to the UK were mistakenly copied into an email earlier this month

Afghans who assisted Western forces are eligible to come to the UK under a relocation scheme (

Image: MoD Crown Copyright via Getty Im)

A second data breach potentially risking the lives of Afghan interpreters has been uncovered at the Ministry of Defence.

Dozens of people who may be eligible to come to the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (Arap) were mistakenly copied into an email earlier this month.

Their email addresses were visible to all recipients, rather than being blind copied.

Some 55 people’s details were revealed, according to the BBC.

The disastrous blunder comes after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was forced to apologise for a separate breach that revealed the email addresses of around 250 Afghans.

Terrified interpreters have spoken of fears for their safety after the first data breach – and Tory MP Johnny Mercer has said Afghan allies are being “hunted ruthlessly by the Taliban”.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has already apologised about a separate breach
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Image:

NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Mr Wallace told MPs this week that an official had been suspended for the first breach and expressed his fury at the blunder.

“It is an unacceptable level of service that has let down the thousands of members of the armed forces and veterans. On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, I apologise,” Mr Wallace said.

“I offer the reassurances that the scheme will continue to operate and bring people back to the United Kingdom for however many are eligible and however long it takes.”

An MoD spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of a data breach that occurred earlier this month by the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy team.

“This week, the Defence Secretary instigated an investigation into data handling within that team.

“Steps have now been taken to ensure this does not happen in the future. We apologise to those affected and extra support is being offered to them.”

Admiral Sir Ben Key, the commander of joint operations who led the planning and evacuation from Kabul, is leading the investigation and one person had been suspended.

It also comes after documents identifying Afghan workers and job applicants were abandoned in the embassy in Kabul.

Mr Wallace said at the time: “Clearly it’s not good enough.”