The Afghan files: the inside story on the catastrophic leak

The Afghan files: the inside story on the catastrophic leak

Author: Financial Times July 18, 2025 Duration: 33:12

One of the gravest security lapses in UK history came to light this week after a judge lifted a superinjunction on a catastrophic data leak that could have affected 100,000 Afghans, as well as British spies and special forces members. Political Fix’s Lucy Fisher, one of the journalists who broke the story, returns to the show to talk with host George Parker about how the FT uncovered the secret scheme, the superinjunction that was imposed on her, and the political fallout from the exposé. And the FT’s Jim Pickard and Ashley Armstrong join to discuss the reaction to Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech, as well as Keir Starmer’s suspension of more MPs. 


Follow George Parker on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher; Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social; Ashley Armstrong @aarmstrongsays.bsky.social 


What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com  


Want more? Free links:   

UK set up secret Afghan immigration scheme after data leak and gagged media 


The British state's battle to contain the fallout from catastrophic Afghan data leak


‘What reforms?’ City leaders underwhelmed by Rachel Reeves’ financial strategy 


Keir Starmer suspends four rebel Labour MPs



Sign up here for 30 days free of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter. 


Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. 


Read a transcript of this podcast on FT.com


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Every Friday, the team behind Political Fix gathers to make sense of the week's political turbulence. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a deep, often lively conversation that pulls back the curtain on how decisions are really made in Westminster and beyond. You'll hear from the Financial Times journalists who are actually there, in the corridors and committee rooms, paired with expert voices who provide crucial context. Together, they untangle complex policy debates, analyse the shifting alliances, and question the strategies defining Britain's future. The result is a clear-eyed, authoritative look at the forces shaping the nation, delivered with the FT's signature rigor and insight. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a private briefing, one that prioritizes substance over noise. It’s for anyone who wants to move past the soundbites and understand the real stories and personalities driving the political agenda. New episodes arrive weekly, offering a consistent and essential perspective on a landscape that never stops moving.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Political Fix
Podcast Episodes
The UK in Trump’s world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:29
Despite past criticism of Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer has sent ‘hearty’ praise to the president-elect for his victory this week. But what will transatlantic relations be like in 2025 and what does a Trump presidency m…
Live Budget special: How will the UK secure growth? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:18
It’s been two days since chancellor Rachel Reeves put a £40bn tax increase at the heart of a plan to fix the country’s “broken” finances and public services, and unveiled a sharp increase in borrowing to fund an extra £1…
New chancellor, new rules [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:13
Rachel Reeves has rewritten her fiscal rules on the eve of her seismic first Budget next week. She says her new borrowing rule will help get Britain building, but how will it go down with voters – and the markets? Meanwh…
Cabinet fightback: the revolt over spending [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:33
Rachel Reeves’s plans for a tough spending round later this month have sparked a fierce revolt among a raft of cabinet ministers. But will their protests make a difference? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix reg…
Martin Wolf on the UK economy: ‘Why I’m worried’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:24
What kind of economy did Labour inherit this summer, and how does Britain measure up to international comparators? Political Fix host Lucy Fisher sits down with Martin Wolf to examine the strengths and weaknesses inheren…
100 days of Labour: Starmer’s stuttering start [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:03
As Labour reaches 100 days in government we take stock of how Sir Keir Starmer and his team have performed. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley, Miranda Green and Jim Pickard to assess L…
‘Let’s be more normal’ – and rival Tory strategies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:40
Who’s up and who’s down in the Tory leadership race after the four-day beauty parade at the party’s conference in Birmingham? Host Lucy Fisher and Political Fix regulars George Parker and Stephen Bush assess the four con…
Starmer’s ‘weird’ week: from Liverpool to New York [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:55
Labour’s conference in Liverpool should have been a celebratory event after its landslide win in the July election. Political editor George Parker, standing in for Lucy Fisher, is joined by Miranda Green and Robert Shrim…
Is the shine coming off Saint Starmer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:31
A growing controversy around Lord Waheed Alli’s donations to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria risks tarnishing the new government, while propelling the normally discreet Labour donor into the public…
A terminal diagnosis for the NHS? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:10
A government-commissioned review has found the NHS on life support. Can Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer succeed where his predecessors have failed in turning around the health service? And how long has he got to do it? L…