Top MoD civil servant to quit amid Afghan data leak fallout
David Williams has told staff at the department that he will quit in autumn, with the search for his successor now under way, The Times has learnt.
There has been growing pressure on the MoD over its handling of the data leak and the subsequent super-injunction that kept it secret for years. The damaging and potentially deadly military blunder, and the government's efforts to suppress it, only emerged after reporting restrictions were lifted last month.
People arrive at RAF Brize Norton after being evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021
CPL WILL DRUMMEE RAF/MOD/CROWN COPYRIGHT/PA
UK government officials were left exposed when in February 2022 a soldier inadvertently sent a list of tens of thousands of names to Afghans as he tried to help verify applications for sanctuary in Britain.
More than 100 British special forces troops, MI6 spies and military officers were named in the data leak along with the whereabouts of Afghans seeking sanctuary in the UK.
Some MPs have demanded accountability in the form of sackings, but John Healey, the defence secretary, refused to say last month whether anybody had lost their job.
A Whitehall source said the row had led to 'tensions' between Williams and Healey.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the current head of the armed forces, John Healey and Williams
An MoD spokesman said: 'Permanent secretary David Williams will step down this autumn and the recruitment process for his successor is under way.
'Since 2021, David has led the department through a period of significant activity, and we thank him for his contribution.'
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