6
The Afghan data-breach injunction was an exceptional measure with profound constitutional consequences.
Conclusion
The Afghan data-breach injunction was an exceptional measure with profound constitutional consequences. Even aside from the “superinjunction” element, it prevented public and parliamentary knowledge of a major policy response involving risk to life, substantial public expenditure and affected communities across the UK. A short period of secrecy may have been justified to reduce immediate risk to affected Afghans, but secrecy endured far longer than originally envisaged. Over time, the injunction displaced normal democratic, audit and public scrutiny; it limited controlled external challenge; and it imposed serious costs on accountability and trust among affected Afghans and the UK public. (Conclusion, Paragraph 103)
Source
Committee
Defence Committee
Report
1st Report - Shifting heaven and earth? The Afghan data breach and resettlement schemes
30 Jul 2026
HC 69
Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Defence
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.1 yrs
Report published
30 Jul 2026