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A dispute has emerged between Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer concerning the position of Immigration Minister Mike Tapp. The issue arose after Tapp authored an article in The Times advocating for foreign care workers to be exempt from Mahmood’s proposed visa rule changes affecting migrants already residing in the UK.
Mahmood reportedly only learned of Tapp’s piece when the newspaper contacted her team for a statement. She views his article as a violation of ministerial conduct and believes it warrants his dismissal. Despite this, officials at Downing Street have made it clear that Tapp will remain in his role, with no plans currently to remove him.
In his article, Tapp argued that individuals who came to the UK on care worker visas, complied with regulations, and contributed meaningfully to the healthcare system should not face extended delays in applying for settlement. He emphasized his commitment to addressing this matter directly. Following the publication, a Home Office source told the BBC that Tapp could face dismissal for breaching the Ministerial Code, accusing him of presenting ideas developed by the Home Secretary’s team as his own in an apparent bid to secure a position in the new administration.
The Ministerial Code stresses the importance of collective responsibility, outlining how ministers must be able to express their opinions candidly in private discussions while presenting a united front publicly once decisions have been made. Mahmood insists that Tapp’s actions constitute grounds for sacking, though No 10 continues to reject calls for his removal.
Recently, it was reported that Mahmood had privately urged the Prime Minister to announce his intention to step down. Until the announcement of his resignation plans earlier this week, Tapp had been a vocal supporter of Sir Keir. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister reiterated that all ministers remain in office and normal government operations proceed as usual.
Looking ahead, the government is preparing to introduce substantial immigration reforms. The Immigration and Asylum Bill, set to be debated in the House of Commons soon, includes measures designed to speed up the removal of people refused asylum. These changes propose extending the qualification period for permanent residency from five to ten years for most migrants. Specifically, those arriving on health and social care visas could face a 15-year wait, while migrants who have claimed benefits for over a year might be required to wait 20 years.
Mahmood defends these proposals by pointing to the “unprecedented” influx of arrivals in the UK, asserting the government must respond decisively. However, many Labour MPs oppose the changes, criticizing them as “un-British” and accusing the government of “moving the goalposts.” Mahmood plans to push through the reforms, which will become the responsibility of the next prime minister following Sir Keir’s resignation. Andy Burnham, a leading contender to succeed Sir Keir and become prime minister, has signaled his general support for Mahmood’s approach
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