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Papers Relating to the Home Secretary
08 November 2022
Lead MP
Nigel Evans
Chorley
Con
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 43
At a Glance
Nigel Evans raised concerns about papers relating to the home secretary in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Response
Government Response
The Government maintains that the matter is closed and there is no need to revisit it. The process of ministerial appointments must remain confidential for meaningful advice to be delivered freely.
Nigel Evans
Con
Chorley
Noted that some Members may have observed the motion on the Order Paper is for an order rather than a Humble Address, clarifying that the choice of wording simply depends on whether the motion is directed at a Department headed by a Secretary of State. He mentioned that in practical terms, there is no difference between using an order and a Humble Address.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Highlights serious concerns about the Home Secretary's reappointment despite security breaches and lapses in legal advice. Proposes that the Prime Minister should release all facts concerning these issues to demonstrate confidence in the Home Secretary.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Intervenes to express concern about the inconsistent application of standards within the Government, citing cases where civil servants faced job losses for minor breaches while the Home Secretary was reappointed despite major security lapses.
Critiques the motion as a diversionary tactic, suggesting that Labour lacks home affairs policies and is attempting to shift focus from their policy deficiencies to attacking individuals in the Government.
Challenges the Opposition by questioning past actions of Labour leaders towards national security, particularly regarding the Salisbury poisoning incident where the then Leader of the Opposition cast doubt on intelligence.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Stresses that trust in politicians is crucial for maintaining democracy. Emphasises the importance of confidentiality when dealing with constituents' issues and warns about the broader implications of breaches.
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Supports her colleague, arguing that the reappointment decision questions the Government's approach to national security. Suggests that the Conservative response indicates a lack of seriousness towards the issue.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Supports the motion, criticising not only specific individuals but also systemic failures in accountability within Westminster. Suggests that current systems are unfit for purpose.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Questions how overcrowding at Manston facility could have reached 4,000 despite its design capacity of only 1,600 people. Asks for clarity on actions taken by the Home Secretary leading to this situation.
Challenges Labour's alternatives for accommodating illegal entrants to the UK, questioning their stance on Napier army barracks and costly hotels as potential solutions.
Nigel Evans
Con
Stretford and Urmston
Mr. Evans提醒议员们，这次辩论是关于内政大臣的特定动议，并不是对政府部长的一般性辩论。请双方的议员在介入发言时注意这一点，以便我们能够专注于此次动议的主题。
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Mr. Slaughter质疑内政大臣是否遵循了法律，并提到昨天的一位部长似乎承认内政大臣在处理非法移民问题时可能违反了法律规定。
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Mr. Leigh询问前工党内阁政府在哪些情况下公开发布了其收到的法律意见，特别是关于伊拉克战争的问题是否被公布过。
Rushanara Ali
Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Ms. Ali认为政府拒绝向情报和安全委员会提交报告表明了该政府对国家安全不重视。作为前内政部官员，她强调保护国家安全的重要性。
Mr. Russell-Moyle指出保守党在国家安全部门中多次表现出缺乏判断力，并提到前首相因丑闻辞职的情况以及其他诸如泄密等危险行为，表明这些非常时期的政府需要重新审视其对国家安全的态度。
Jeremy Quin
Con
Hemel Hempstead
The Home Secretary made an error of judgment but recognised her mistake and took responsibility for it. The Prime Minister considered the matter closed based on assurances from the Home Secretary, who was then reappointed. There is a need to maintain confidentiality in ministerial appointments to ensure open discussions.
Alex Cunningham
Lab
Stockport
Questions why the leniency shown to the Home Secretary in terms of her six-day resignation period, as compared to the standard probationary periods given for those who breach court judgments.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Critiques the Government's handling of the Home Secretary’s appointment, stating it is not just about a security leak but also about her judgment on national security. Argues that there is no evidence to suggest her judgment has improved.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Questions the Prime Minister's integrity and professionalism given his appointment of someone who had breached the ministerial code just days prior, suggesting it contradicts previous declarations about conducting proceedings with integrity.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Asks whether the Prime Minister was aware of leak inquiries into the Home Secretary's conduct when she served as Attorney General before her appointment decision.
Stuart McDonald
Lab
Glasgow South
The Home Secretary has shown a significant disregard for proper procedures regarding sensitive government documents and national security, raising serious questions about her fitness to hold such an important office. She is accused of downplaying the incident as 'technical', ignoring standard protocols, and failing to report the breach properly. Additionally, there are concerns over her use of personal email accounts for government business, which has led to further inquiries and raises questions about previous incidents.
Maidenhead
When it comes to standards in public life and adhering to the ministerial code, my constituents are very quick to let me know if they think that something is not right. I have had nine emails on this issue—not the hundreds I would normally expect—and some of them support the Home Secretary. My constituents want the Home Office to address small boat crossings by ensuring asylum claims are processed fairly and efficiently while stopping criminal gangs from taking advantage of vulnerable people. They also want police powers to remove protesters swiftly, care about antisocial behaviour, and support measures against violence against women and girls.
Marie Rimmer
Lab
St Helens South and Whiston
The Home Secretary resigned after the first breach of security was made public. Six more breaches have since been alleged. The Prime Minister reappointed her despite these issues, raising questions about his trustworthiness regarding national security. The Home Office is overstretched with a passport backlog and asylum seeker conditions that are inhumane. The appointment of Gavin Williamson to the Cabinet is concerning given his past leaks from National Security Council meetings. The Government needs integrity, professionalism, and accountability beyond mere rhetoric.
Tom Hunt
Con
South Swindon
Hunt discussed the debate's repetition, noting that his constituents are more concerned about illegal immigration than emails. He criticised Labour for opposing the Home Secretary and focusing on a personalised campaign against her.
Evans sympathised with Members but pointed out the narrowness of the motion, expressing relief at being in the Chair rather than participating in the debate.
Birmingham Erdington
Hamilton criticised the Prime Minister's decision to reappoint the Home Secretary and appoint Sir Gavin Williamson despite security breaches. She questioned the Government on its decisions regarding Cabinet appointments and the Home Office's handling of asylum seekers.
Baynes defended the confidentiality of advice given to Prime Ministers, asserting that it does not contain sensitive information like national security details. He highlighted government actions against illegal migration and crime, contrasting them with Labour's lack of specific policies on these issues.
Clarkson dismissed Labour's argument by noting their lack of presence in the debate. He argued that Labour’s focus on political issues like data breaches does not resonate with constituents who are more concerned about immigration and crime. He emphasised that his voters want to see tougher measures against illegal migration, including support for policies such as the Rwanda plan and recent legislations aimed at managing migration.
Richard Thomson
SNP
Dunfermline and West Fife
Critiques the Home Secretary's actions post-resignation, including sending unauthorised information to personal Gmail accounts. Expresses concern over her reappointment given ongoing security risks and breaches of ministerial code. Requests disclosure of advice regarding her appointment.
Rosie Winterton
Lab
Stockport
Emphasises the narrow focus of the debate, encouraging MPs to adhere to the motion's topic.
Danny Kruger
Reform
East Wiltshire
Kruger dismissed the motion as 'shameless politics' and argued that Labour was overreacting to a non-security breach, suggesting it is more about their stance on immigration than actual misconduct.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Cadbury criticised the Home Secretary for breaching ministerial codes and failing to uphold public safety and human rights. She highlighted inconsistencies between Government statements and actions regarding asylum seekers.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Anderson accused Labour of a bullying campaign against the Home Secretary, dismissing their concerns as irrelevant politics and emphasising that the public supports her approach to immigration issues.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith
The Home Secretary's refusal to answer questions about leaks of sensitive information is problematic. The MP cites previous investigations into the Home Secretary's conduct as Attorney General, and raises concerns over inconsistencies in her resignation letter and detailed timeline provided to the Home Affairs Committee Chair. Furthermore, he criticises the Home Secretary for breaking legal advice regarding detention at Manston and evading direct questions about her actions.
Robin Millar
Con
Aberconwy
He congratulated other members on their contributions and set out the context of recent events, including the influx of asylum seekers into communities. He described a specific incident in Dolgarrog where local residents expressed concern over overflow accommodation for asylum seekers.
Rosie Winterton
Lab
Doncaster North
She ordered Robin Millar to return to the motion and stay on topic, as he had strayed into unrelated areas of discussion.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
He expressed concern about the erosion of trust in government institutions due to recent events. He questioned the Prime Minister's judgment for reappointing Suella Braverman despite breaches of security and ministerial code, arguing that she lacks integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
Mark Eastwood
Con
Billericay
He defended the Government by highlighting that constituents are more concerned about small boats arriving in the UK rather than breaches of security. He stated that the papers being referred to are confidential and cannot be published based on legal advice.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
She closed the debate by expressing her constituents' confusion over recent events, particularly around the reshuffle and its implications for immigration policies. She emphasised the importance of addressing these concerns for her community.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
He intervened to suggest that this motion is not about the Home Secretary or immigration but rather an attempt by Labour to establish a pattern of behaviour in the Prime Minister and play political games.
Alex Burghart
Con
Brentwood and Ongar
Argued against the motion, emphasising that discussions around ministerial appointments should remain confidential to ensure effective government functioning. He stated that releasing such information would have a 'deadening effect' on government processes and accused the opposition of political gamesmanship.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Asked why the Opposition are hearing from people asking to see the documents, yet nobody is asking Conservative MPs. Suggested that the Opposition might be playing politics.
Proposed a compromise where the new independent ethics adviser would look retrospectively at appointments, suggesting this could satisfy both sides of the debate.
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