**Inquiry Launched over Major Afghan Data Breach Impacting Thousands**

An inquiry by the Intelligence and Security Committee reveals critical flaws in data management amid concerns over safety for those affected.

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) of the UK Parliament has initiated an inquiry into a significant data breach that endangered the identities of over 30,000 Afghans and British military officials. This breach, which was not disclosed until August 2023, stemmed from an erroneous email sent by a UK Special Forces headquarters employee in February 2022, revealing sensitive resettlement applications.

Chairman Lord Beamish expressed urgency in accessing all pertinent intelligence documents to scrutinize the incident effectively. The ISC's mandate allows it to evaluate the activities of MI5, MI6, and GCHQ, thereby necessitating immediate attention to potential failures in data protection protocols.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has publicly acknowledged the gravity of the situation, committing to assist the ISC’s investigation and promising to hold accountable any officials or ministers involved. The leak, exacerbated by the risks posed by the Taliban, has compelled the government to establish the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR), aimed at relocating 7,000 threatened individuals at a projected cost of £850 million.

The breach came to light when a man in Afghanistan exposed the identities of multiple individuals through social media, leading to fears of retaliation against those associated with UK forces. Following this revelation, the High Court imposed a super-injunction to prevent details of the situation from being revealed, a gag order that has just recently been lifted.

As the inquiry unfolds, the ISC is set to examine the implications of this lapse in judgement and the critical discussions surrounding accountability, compensation, and the protection of vulnerable individuals.