The Information Commissioner’s refusal to investigate a complaint about the failure of the Ministry of Defence to provide information regarding Afghan resettlement has been labelled “untenable” by South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies.
Mr Davies’ office complained to the ICO on 15th October 2025, after the Ministry of Defence repeatedly failed to provide information regarding the government’s various Afghan resettlement schemes.
The request included specific questions regarding the MOD’s decision to use the Holiday Inn Express, Rhoose, for resettlement.
It also included requests for statistics relating to crime and public safety regarding the schemes.
A recent Sky News investigation into the Afghan Resettlement Programme alleged Afghans were rehoused in Britain after exaggerating claims to have assisted British forces.
Other allegations included multiple cases of applicants sending British figures allegedly fake Taliban threat letters, staged “torture” videos and false claims of Taliban attacks.
As is common in political offices, the request for information was included in a letter from Mr Davies to the MOD, submitted by email on his behalf by a member of staff.
The same member of staff, on Mr Davies’ behalf, submitted several follow up requests for the information. The staff member complained to the ICO when this was not forthcoming.
In an email to the staff member, an ICO case officer confirmed the complaint was not being investigated as it came from somebody other than the person who made the original request for information.
Mr Davies described the situation as “highly unusual” and said it would add to public perceptions that authorities are deliberately concealing information regarding Afghan resettlement.
He has written to the ICO to make a formal complaint and urged them to take steps to ensure the information is released as soon as possible.
Mr Davies said:
“There are serious questions regarding the government’s various Afghan resettlement schemes – relevant both nationally and to my own constituency.
“It is concerning how obstructive authorities have been regarding the release of information, particularly that concerning crime rates and public safety.
“There are serious concerns many people may have been brought to Britain under false pretences and the MOD’s failure to be open and transparent will only exacerbate this.”
ENDS