Former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was moved by Sir Keir Starmer today, as part of a wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Ms Cooper took a new role as Foreign Secretary after the Government faced intense criticism over immigration, asylum and policing, issues the Home Office is responsible for.
Former Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood becomes the new Foreign Secretary. And ex-Foreign Secretary David Laummy has become Justice Secretary – a demotion, but Sir Keir gave him a consolation prize by making him the new Deputy Prime Minister. This is an impressive title but has little real power in its own right.
More than 50,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats since Labour came to power, despite the Government’s pledge to “smash” the gangs overseeing people smuggling. A deal with France to return cross-Channel migrants has been widely criticised because it will allow the UK to send back only a small minority of those who arrive.
Labour’s failure to move asylum seekers out of hotels has led to disorder in many parts of the country, with the number in expensive hotel accommodation, at 32,059, higher than when the party came to power last year. There has also been criticism of police, with critics saying people such the comedian Graham Linehan are being arrested for expressing controversial opinions. At the same time, retailers say they are suffering from a massive increase in shoplifting.
Sir Keir was forced to bring forward a planned reshuffle after Ms Rayner resigned. She stood down because an inquiry found she had broken ministerial rules by failing to pay £40,000 in Stamp Duty.
Earlier this week an asylum seeker hotel resident was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl days after arriving in the UK on a small boat.
Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu’s behaviour in July sparked protests and counter-protests in Epping, Essex, and further demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.
Essex Police are still investigating incidents of disorder after a number of protesters took to the streets following Kebatu’s sexual assaults.
Multiple demonstrations have been held outside the Bell Hotel since July 13 – with the force making 32 arrests and charging 21 people in connection with incidents of disorder.
Epping Forest District Council is taking legal action against Somani Hotels over the use of the Bell Hotel as accommodation for asylum seekers, and could still be granted an injunction when a full hearing takes place on October 13.
Kebatu is due to be sentenced at the same court on September 23.
London’s Metropolitan Police has beeen criticised after Graham Linehan, 57, was arrested at Heathrow Airport over three posts he had made on X about trans issues.
He said he was stopped by five armed police officers, although it is understood this is because they were from the Met’s Aviation unit and routinely carry firearms.
One of the posts said: “If a trans-identified male is in a female-only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act. Make a scene, call the cops and if all else fails, punch him in the balls.”
Another was a photograph of a trans-rights protest, with the comment “a photo you can smell”, with a follow-up post saying: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F*** em.”
After anger at his arrest Health Secretary Wes Streeting suggested the Government could look at legislation if the law is “not getting the balance right” on free speech.