Key facts
- An Afghan former police worker, identified as Hamid, is receiving threats from the Taliban.
- Hamid's personal information was exposed in a 2022 Ministry of Defence data leak.
- His application for resettlement in the UK under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap) scheme has been rejected.
- Hamid claims to have submitted all available documents proving his service and highlights that former colleagues in similar roles have been resettled.
- The MoD stated that applications are assessed based on evidence of support for the UK mission and eligibility criteria.
A former Afghan police worker, known as Hamid, is facing severe threats from the Taliban following an accidental data leak by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) that exposed his identity and work with British forces. Despite years of service and commendations, his application for resettlement in the UK under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap) scheme has been rejected.
Hamid, who worked for the Afghan national police special unit, shared documents signed by senior British figures praising his dedication. However, his most recent rejection on July 31 stated he had not provided sufficient evidence of working alongside a UK government department. He claims many former colleagues in identical roles have been successfully resettled through the same scheme, raising questions about the fairness of his case.
The MoD spokesperson stated that each application is evaluated individually based on provided evidence and eligibility criteria, noting that nearly 39,000 Afghan men, women, and children have been resettled through various UK schemes since the Taliban's return to power. Hamid, living in hiding, described the emotional toll as devastating, highlighting his reliance on his wife's income and the constant fear for his safety.
Former Defence Secretary John Healey previously commented that inclusion in the leak does not automatically grant eligibility for the Arap scheme, especially for those who did not directly serve alongside British forces.