The home secretary has fired the immigration watchdog, David Neal, after critical reports about the immigration system were leaked to newspapers. Neal’s contract was set to expire next month, but he was terminated early due to breaching the terms of appointment and losing the confidence of the Home Secretary.
The leaked reports include details of a report critical of the visa system for care workers, as well as comments from Neal about security checks on private jets in airports. The Home Office has expressed disappointment in Neal’s decision to release what they called “misleading data” into the public domain.
This incident has sparked criticism from Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who has accused Conservative home secretaries of attempting to bury uncomfortable truths about the broken borders revealed by the chief inspector. Cooper is calling for the Home Secretary to publish the 15 unpublished reports, some dating back to April last year.
The government website lists fourteen ICIBI inspection reports that are awaiting publication, and it is understood that Cooper’s office is including the inspector’s annual report in the total. BBC News has been unable to reach Mr. Neal for comment.
The firing of David Neal has sparked controversy and raised questions about transparency and accountability within the immigration system. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding immigration policies and oversight in the UK.
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