Try GOLD - Free
Shapps defends superinjunction on reporting Afghan data leak
The Guardian
|July 19, 2025
The former defence secretary Grant Shapps has defended the use of an unprecedented superinjunction to suppress news of a data breach that led to the UK government relocating 15,000 Afghans.
The Afghanistan Response Route (ARR) was created in haste after it emerged that the personal information about 18,700 Afghans who had applied to come to the UK had been leaked in error by a British defence official in early 2022.
It has also emerged that details of members of the SAS and MI6 were among more than 100 Britons named in the database.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Shapps, who was defence secretary from 31 August 2023 to 5 July 2024 and was in post while the superinjunction was imposed on the incident, said his focus after the leak was on "sorting out the mess and saving lives".
The superinjunction lapsed on Tuesday, when a high court judge concluded that the threat to the 18,700 Afghans was no longer very significant.
This story is from the July 19, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Students Allow Gaza students to bring children to UK - MPS
A cross-party group of more than 100 MPs has written to the government about the plight of Palestinian students unable to take up scholarships at UK universities because they are barred from bringing their children.
1 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
'Hostages square'
Joy unconfined in Tel Aviv as years of torment end with captives being freed at last
6 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
Students: Allow Gaza students to bring children to UK-MPS
Across-party group of more than 100 MPs has written to the government about the plight of Palestinian students unable to take up scholarships at UK universities because they are barred from bringing their children.
1 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
Relatives reunited
Joy and sorrow as Palestinians freed from Israeli jails
4 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
Truce brings joy as Israelis and Palestinians are freed
Final 20 living hostages are released after two years of Hamas captivity. Large crowds in Gaza rejoice as nearly 2,000 detainees also go free. Trump hails historic end to Middle East's 'long, painful nightmare'
4 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
'I'm at peace with it': Bright calls time on England career
Millie Bright has announced her retirement from international football, saying she is “at peace” with her decision and that her priorities had changed.
2 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
Clashes Gangs vie for control with Hamas and others in lawless Gaza
Hamas has started deploying armed fighters and police across parts of Gaza in an apparent attempt to reassert authority in the Palestinian territory after the ceasefire deal agreed with Israel last week.
3 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
Art review: Sanitised view of Sami culture fails to impress
The Turbine Hall at Tate Modern, in case you didn't know, is quite large.
2 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
'He can be one of world's best' Tuchel urges Rashford to push himself and fulfil his potential
Thomas Tuchel believes that Marcus Rashford can still become one of the best players in the world, but the England head coach has warned the forward will end up with regrets unless he pushes himself to the limit and improves in the final third.
2 mins
October 14, 2025
The Guardian
De Bruyne double deals huge blow to Wales' hopes
Craig Bellamy cited Nostradamus in the buildup to this contest, advising to expect the unexpected given the 4-3 thriller that unfolded the last time these nations met.
3 mins
October 14, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size