Afghan data leak inquiry to be conducted by Parliament's security watchdog
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Sky News
5 days ago
- Sky News
Victims of Afghan data leak receive scam emails offering tens of thousands in compensation, Sky News can reveal
Sky News can reveal that some Afghan data leak victims are being offered £86,000 in compensation, in what appears to be scam mail. The phishing email claims to come from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), offering a "compensation via a cheque", but the MoD has categorically denied any involvement. Sky News is aware that - at the very least - a small number of Afghans whose data were leaked have been sent this email. The true number of recipients could be a lot higher. The data list contained the details of almost 19,000 individuals It asks Afghans to "please take your id documents to verify your identity, otherwise you won't be paid". The news indicates at least some of the names and personal details on the leaked dataset have been seen by the email sender. 2:51 It raises questions about just who now has access to the leaked data of thousands of Afghan Relocations and Assistance Police (ARAP) applicants, and who is behind the phishing attempt. The MoD has confirmed the email is a scam, emphasising the email was not sent by the government. A spokesperson said: "This email has not been sent by the Ministry of Defence or any part of the UK government. "Following the February 2022 data incident under the previous government, we have taken appropriate action in line with the level of risk these individuals faced and will robustly defend against any legal action or compensation claims." The email starts with "OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE PERSONAL". It says: "I am writing to inform you that your case has been properly considered. We are sincerely sorry for the impact the recent data breach has had on you and your family. "As a result we are offering you compensation in the amount of £86,000. You can collect your compensation via a cheque, which can be processed at your local building society. We have shared your detail with bank, please take your id documents to verify your identity, otherwise you won't be paid". It is signed off "Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy Casework Team, MOD Head Office". There are typos in the email including in the line "we have shared your detail with bank", as well as other scam mail red flags like an urgent call to action regarding payment. It is not clear who the email is from or why it was sent. It comes after the personal information of nearly 19,000 people who applied for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was released "in error" in February 2022 by a defence official. 0:45 Excerpts from a spreadsheet containing the data were posted anonymously on a Facebook group, before the MoD became aware of the breach in August 2023. It led to the imposition of a super-injunction in September 2023, which blocked all coverage of the leak. Defence Secretary John Healey offered a "sincere apology" on behalf of the government, calling it a "serious departmental error". Some 6,900 Afghans - comprising 1,500 people named on the list as well as their dependents - are being relocated to the UK as part of this programme, on top of the thousands moved here under the ARAP. The MoD said the relocation costs alone, directly linked to the data breach, will be around £850m. It has previously said: "We will robustly defend against any legal action or compensation. The independent Rimmer review concluded that it is highly unlikely that merely being on the spreadsheet would be grounds for an individual to be targeted, and this is the basis on which the court lifted its superinjunction."
The Independent
25-07-2025
- The Independent
Teacher banned from the classroom after having sex with colleague in art room during school day
A teacher at an all-girls grammar school in Gloucestershire has been banned from teaching for having sex with a colleague on multiple occasions in an art classroom. Liyarna Beamish, 39, had taught at Ribston Hall High School since 2016 and had engaged in an affair with a fellow teacher for two years before it was uncovered last summer. The school was contacted by a third-party on 26 June 2024, who informed them that Ms Beamish had been engaging in sexual intercourse during school hours. They were also shown screenshots of messages sent between the two teachers, which were sexual in nature and had been sent during the working day. During an investigatory meeting, she admitted having sex on school premises, and confirmed messages on WhatsApp showed the two organising their liaisons. When asked on how many occasions had this occurred, she replied: 'Couple of years - multiple occasions'. She also responded that they had engaged in sexual intercourse in the 'art room, and two art cupboards, both doors locked, downstairs door locked as well'. Having been referred to the TRA, the panel concluded that her behaviour had been 'sexually motivated' and that her behaviour had fallen 'very far short of the standard of behaviour' that was required in the profession. It was also found that she had shown 'limited evidence of insight and/or remorse'. The report concluded: 'For these reasons, the panel was satisfied that the conduct of Ms Beamish amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. Accordingly, the panel was satisfied that Ms Beamish was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.' She has now been banned from teaching indefinitely in any educational institution, but can apply for the prohibition order to be removed in two years.
The Independent
24-07-2025
- The Independent
Auto-enrolling young people on voting register being explored
Young people could be automatically enrolled on the voting register under plans being explored by the Government, a minister has told Parliament. Labour former minister Lord Beamish argued 'the only way we're going to get young people and other people on the registry is auto-enrolment'. Responding, communities minister Lord Khan of Burnley said the Government will 'take steps to move towards' this, but added that electoral law is 'complicated'. 'We intend to actively explore and test new and more automated methods of registration, including better use of data to identify people who are eligible, and integration with other Government services to make it easier for people to register,' he had earlier told the upper chamber. The minister also revealed the Government is 'looking at' placing 16 and 17-year-olds on the electoral register at the same time they are given their national insurance numbers. This came in response to Liberal Democrat peer Lord Rennard, who said: 'Will the Government now implement the unanimous cross-party recommendation of the House of Lords select committee and automatically include 16 and 17-year-olds on the electoral registers at the same time as they are given their national insurance numbers?' Lord Khan replied: 'This is a major change in the electoral franchise, and we need to get it right. Changes to the electoral law of this magnitude require careful planning and should not be rushed. 'On the question in relation to national insurance, we are looking at different options for ensuring young people can be easily and accurately registered to vote, and ways to enable people to register when they interact with other government services. 'So the (Lord Rennard) keeps pushing. I'm going to give (Lord Rennard) good news … to say we are looking at that as well.' Plaid Cymru peer Baroness Smith of Llanfaes called for a national register to vote day for schools. She said: 'Will this Government consider a national register to vote day for schools, where young people are encouraged to register to vote online in their registration classes?' Lord Khan said this was 'a very strong point, and I will take that away'. He added: 'We'll take all measures to ensure that we can (to) make sure people can participate comfortably and positively.'
