Starmer hits back at home secretary over calls to sack minister

Home Office minister Mike Tapp has been “reminded of his obligations under the Ministerial Code” but will remain in his post, Downing Street has confirmed, following a public dispute with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

The row erupted after Ms Mahmood called for Sir Keir Starmer to sack Mr Tapp and restricted his access to sensitive documents. Her actions followed an article Mr Tapp wrote in The Times on immigration policy, which she claimed breached the Ministerial Code.

However, in a clear rebuke to both ministers, a Downing Street spokesperson stated it was “not for any individual Secretary of State to determine whether the Ministerial Code has been followed, it is a matter for the Prime Minister alone”.

The spokesperson added: “Mike Tapp has been reminded of his obligations under the Ministerial Code including collective responsibility and procedures relating to the clearance and presentation of government policy.”

In his Times article, Mr Tapp, who serves as minister for migration and citizenship, suggested that foreign care workers should be exempt from Ms Mahmood’s plans to tighten settlement rules. The Home Secretary’s proposals would significantly increase the waiting period for immigrants to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five years to at least 10, and potentially longer in many cases.

Mr Tapp expressed a “strong belief” that those already contributing to the UK care system should not face an extended wait for ILR. He reportedly wrote that he had been working closely with officials to “develop a better approach than a blanket retrospective extension from five years to 10 years for everyone”.

A Government source subsequently accused Mr Tapp of “freelancing on policy”, claiming he had taken “proposals that the Home Secretary was working on, and briefed them as his own”. The source further alleged that Mr Tapp had breached collective responsibility and the Ministerial Code, and had threatened to “leak sensitive documents” in a tweet defending his actions.

Mr Tapp had earlier criticised figures within Government briefing against him, writing on X: “It’s gone from ‘he broke the ministerial code’ to ‘he stole my idea’. I have put my views across on a policy I’ve been working on for months (I have the receipts) in an Op Ed in the times. Give it a read, and let’s continue to discuss.”

In a separate post, which he later deleted, Mr Tapp dismissed “attempted intimidation” and, referencing his military service, added: “I’ve seen off the Taliban and taken out terrorists.”

On Friday evening, Mr Tapp apologised for this tweet, describing it as “poorly judged”.

He said: “I realised very quickly that it could be misinterpreted and so I deleted it immediately. I apologise wholeheartedly for any offence I may have caused. I have a lot of respect for the Home Secretary and will continue working hard for our country.”