Robert Jenrick was prevented from publicly discussing his claims that individuals connected to Islamic State had entered the UK through Channel crossings.
The former immigration minister had written in The Telegraph that terror suspects had “waltzed right in” to Britain via small boats.
Two weeks following this disclosure, the department’s most senior civil servant contacted Jenrick with a reprimand, according to the publication.
The official correspondence said that such information “should not have been made public” and cautioned against “any further disclosure” of classified material from his ministerial tenure.
Critics have characterised this intervention as governmental efforts to “suppress” debate regarding security risks associated with large-scale migration.
Sir Matthew Rycroft, who served as the department’s permanent secretary, sent written correspondence to Jenrick regarding the disclosure.
The senior official invoked regulations that forbid revealing classified material, specifically referencing the ministerial code and the Official Secrets Act.
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, was personally informed that this reprimand was being issued, according to sources familiar with the matter.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
PA
|
Robert Jenrick was reportedly prevented from publicly discussing his claims that individuals connected to Islamic State had entered the UK through Channel crossings
The Home Office has declined to verify whether Jenrick’s assertions were accurate, citing potential risks to national security.
The department maintains that former ministers remain subject to confidentiality rules after leaving their posts, particularly those serving on the Privy Council like Jenrick.
Parliamentary figures have voiced strong objections to the Home Office’s actions.
Bradley Thomas, Conservative MP for Bromsgrove, described efforts to withhold information of “significant national security importance” as “a disgrace”.
GETTY |
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, was personally informed that this reprimand was being issued, according to sources familiar with the matter
Thomas highlighted that Jenrick had left the Home Office based on principle and consistently opposed the immigration system’s security failures.
He accused Cooper of failing in her “duty to the British people” by permitting the reprimand.
Lewis Cocking, Conservative MP for Broxbourne, characterised the warning as “political overreach from the Civil Service”.
He argued that officials should not dictate what elected representatives can discuss regarding illegal immigration, calling for comprehensive civil service reform.
GETTY
|
Labour faces intensifying scrutiny regarding Channel crossings, with arrivals exceeding 25,000 this year
Jenrick remains defiant about his disclosure, he said: “I will not stay silent as dangerous people break into our country. The small boats are a national security emergency. The Home Office should confront it, not cover it up.”
He acknowledged that the previous Conservative Government, which he served under, failed to take significant action to prevent the crossings when in office, adding: “The last government unquestionably did not do enough to fix this. We must change course fast.”
Meanwhile, Labour faces intensifying scrutiny regarding Channel crossings, with arrivals exceeding 25,000 this year.
Authorities were forced to relocate migrants to emergency accommodation in Canary Wharf on Saturday, following nearly 900 arrivals on Wednesday alone.
GB News has approached the Home Office for a comment.
