Smith Defends Immigrant Security Worker Info Holdback
Jacqui Smith, the UK Home Secretary, has backed a decision to hold back the fact that 5,000 illegal immigrants were granted licences to work within the UK security sector. Ms Smith’s defence coincided with allegations of a government-led cover up.
The Home Secretary referred to her priorities as establishing the full extent of the situation, and consequently taking “robust action”.
According to leaked information, Ms Smith had knowledge of the problem four months ago. As far as the Conservatives are concerned, she is therefore guilty of putting “spin before public safety”. According to one correspondent working for the BBC, the total number of illegal workers, on a “worst-case scenario” basis, could be in excess of 8,000.
In response to the Conservatives’ claims, Ms Smith said her interest lay with action, not words. "There was no fiasco, there was no blunder, there was strengthened and improved action", she asserted.
Leaked Email Highlighted Smith’s Retention of Facts
The notion of her having spun the situation has its roots in a leaked email, which described how Ms Smith “...did not think that the lines to take that we currently have are good enough for press office or ministers to use to explain the situation".
Speaking to MPs, the Home Secretary conceded that she did believe the “lines to take” not to be “good enough”. However, she added, this was because a full assessment of the situation had not yet taken place. Ms Smith highlighted how she favoured investigating the “full nature and scale” of the issue over sending “...incomplete and potentially misleading information into the public domain".
Furthermore, she said, responsibility for ensuring the eligibility of new employees to work in this country rested with the employer.
"Ministers and officials are taking robust action to satisfy ourselves of the scale of the problem and to ensure the SIA (Security Industry Authority) and BIA (Border and Immigration Agency) work together to address it", Ms Smith concluded.
Conservatives Criticise Smith’s Treatment of Immigrant Security Workers Issue
However, Ms Smith’s equivalent in the Conservative Party, David Davis, responded with sharp criticism. "Why wasn't the home secretary frank and candid about the 5,000 illegal workers licensed to work in sensitive security posts in this country?", he asked, adding: "The response from the Home Office so far has been blunder, panic and cover-up.“
The Leader of the Conservatives , David Cameron, commented on BBC Radio’s ‘Today’ that it seemed no announcement had been made earlier this year "because this was going to look bad for the government".
Security International will continue to provide coverage of this situation as we get the facts.
Source – Security International’s Current Affairs Correspondent
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