Home Secretary Cuts Off Minister's Access
Labour's internal conflict over migration policy has escalated dramatically after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood barred Immigration Minister Mike Tapp from receiving government documents or attending meetings without her prior approval. The unprecedented move follows allegations that Tapp threatened to leak sensitive documents related to policy discussions.
Minister Accused of Breaching Code
A Government source told the press: "Mike Tapp wrote a piece in a national newspaper freelancing on policy without the knowledge or agreement of the Home Secretary or her team. He took proposals that the Home Secretary was working on, and briefed them as his own. In doing so, he has broken collective responsibility and has breached the Ministerial Code. Now he is threatening to leak sensitive documents. The Home Secretary has asked the Prime Minister to sack him."
Tapp Fights Back Publicly
Tapp, the MP for Dover and Deal, responded defiantly on social media, vowing "I won't be intimidated." In a series of posts, he mocked his accusers, writing: "It's gone from 'he broke the ministerial code' to 'he stole my idea'." He insisted that the controversial Times article simply outlined policy work he had been developing for months, adding: "I have put my views across on a policy I've been working on for months (I have the receipts). Give it a read, and let's continue to discuss." He concluded: "I won't be intimidated to drop my views. Stay classy!"
Prime Minister Refuses to Sack Minister
Despite Mahmood's request, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has so far refused to dismiss Tapp, who had previously written in a national newspaper advocating for care workers to be excluded from citizenship restrictions. The standoff has exposed deep divisions within the Labour leadership over migration policy, with both sides now digging in for a prolonged battle.
