PM: Tories have questions to answer over Afghan data breach and superinjunction
The Prime Minister hit out at the Tories over the 'major data breach' which saw a defence official release details of almost 19,000 people seeking to flee Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban.
Thousands of people are being relocated to the UK as part of a scheme set up after the breach which was kept secret as the result of a superinjunction imposed in 2023 which was only lifted on Tuesday.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said: 'We warned in opposition about Conservative management of this policy and yesterday, the Defence Secretary set out the full extent of the failings that we inherited: a major data breach, a superinjunction, a secret route that has already cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
'Ministers who served under the party opposite have serious questions to answer about how this was ever allowed to happen.'
He suggested the Conservatives should 'welcome' scrutiny from the Commons Defence Committee.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: ''This episode raises significant constitutional issues.'
Tory former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace said he makes 'no apology' for applying for the initial injunction and insisted it was 'not a cover-up' but was motivated by the need to protect people in Afghanistan whose safety was at risk.
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In a rare point of policy overlap, both she and Poilievre have spoken out against the 'longest ballot' protest planned for the riding; its advocates hope to get dozens of names on the ballot for the byelection to promote their advocacy of proportional representation. Critchley says such tactics just drown out legitimate independent contenders like herself. But she also says she's worried that Poilievre only wants to become the MP for Battle River-Crowfoot for his own political gain. And, as someone who wears one regularly — she moved back to the riding to help with the family horse breeding operation — it rankles her to see him suddenly wearing a cowboy hat. Even if he wins, she believes he won't stick around to represent her neighbours in the House of Commons if he loses an upcoming review of his leadership. So Critchley is challenging Poilievre with a platform drawn from both sides of the political aisle — she affirms the existence of climate change but rejects a carbon tax and vows to protect both lawful gun owners and the LGBTQ+ community — with a helping of Albertan determination. 'We all know that the election is over once it passes the western border of Ontario,' she said. 'We know that, we're tired and we're frustrated. 'But this is our home, our riding,' she added. 'We are not to be taken advantage of. We will not give you something because you say we should.'
