Top UK MoD Civil Servant to Step Down Over Afghan Data Leak Risking 100,000
Top UK MoD Civil Servant to Step Down Over Afghan Data Leak Risking 100,000

Top UK MoD Civil Servant to Step Down Over Afghan Data Leak Risking 100,000

News summary

David Williams, the Ministry of Defence's permanent secretary, is set to step down this autumn amid fallout from a significant data breach that exposed sensitive personal details of up to 100,000 Afghans, including those who assisted British forces, putting their lives at risk. The leak, caused by a British special forces member in February 2022, also revealed the identities of over 100 British special forces personnel and intelligence officers, leading to a costly resettlement operation for affected Afghans in the UK. The MoD faced criticism for its handling of the breach and for obtaining a rare super-injunction to keep the incident secret from the public for over two years. Recruitment for Williams's successor is underway, with a leadership reshuffle occurring alongside the appointment of Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton as Chief of the Defence Staff. The breach has sparked calls for accountability within the MoD, though no officials have been confirmed to have been dismissed. Despite tensions within the department, the MoD expressed gratitude for Williams's leadership during a challenging period.

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Last Updated
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