Shabana Mahmood has made a strong plea for Keir Starmer to dismiss one of her ministers, sparking tension with No10.
The Home Secretary expressed anger after Mike Tapp authored an article advocating for relaxation of her immigration policies without her approval. In the piece, Tapp strongly argued against requiring migrant care workers to wait 15 years to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), a concession that is currently under consideration.
Despite the Home Secretary’s request to terminate the immigration minister, No10 has resisted, and there are no immediate plans for his dismissal, according to sources. This situation may lead to a rift between the Prime Minister and the head of the Home Office.
Reports suggest that the Home Secretary and her team are exploring potential exemptions to her strict migration overhaul following significant backlash. An official source mentioned that the Home Secretary has urged the Prime Minister to dismiss Mike Tapp for violating the Ministerial Code, which mandates ministers to share responsibility for decisions.
Jake Richards, a justice minister and whip, acknowledged that it was unwise for Mr. Tapp to express his views in a newspaper article without coordination. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a united front within the government and handling debates internally.
Regarding the controversy surrounding Ms. Mahmood’s immigration reforms, Mr. Richards mentioned ongoing internal discussions but stressed the need for private deliberations within the government team. He stated that the Home Secretary would present her proposals soon and urged for internal debates to remain confidential.
Mr. Richards deferred the decision on Mr. Tapp’s dismissal to Mr. Starmer, indicating that the Prime Minister would address the matter.
An insider revealed that Mr. Tapp, known for his loyalty to Starmer, had presented ideas to secure a position in the new administration, drawing from proposals already under consideration by the Home Secretary and her team.
Potential Prime Minister Andy Burnham is deliberating on potential modifications to various proposals included in the migration overhaul. The proposed changes to ILR rules, including retroactive application, have sparked controversy, particularly affecting care workers who arrived in the UK post-Covid.
Over 100 Labour MPs have urged Mr. Starmer to reconsider the proposals, with concerns raised by affected individuals, including Lydia Kabute, who questioned the sudden shift in eligibility criteria for settled status.
Trade union Unison criticized the proposed rule changes, citing moral concerns and potential repercussions on the social care sector heavily reliant on migrant workers.
Ms. Mahmood defended her reforms, emphasizing the creation of a compassionate yet regulated immigration system. The Mirror sought a response from Mr. Tapp regarding the developments.