GB News presenters Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello interrupted their breakfast show on Friday to bring viewers a breaking bulletin as Immigration Minister Mike Tapp responded to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's attempts to have him dismissed. The internal Labour Party conflict erupted after Tapp published an opinion piece in The Times that contradicted Mahmood's immigration policy.
Minister's Response to Dismissal Calls
Dixon explained: "He works under the Home Secretary. He's in some hot water, because he's got a piece in The Times this morning, basically undermining what the Home Secretary is saying about leave to remain, and how long you have to be in the country to get leave to remain under her new plans..."
Costello then read from a social media post by Tapp: "He's posted this photo on X with this caption saying, 'Okay, morning, all. It's gone from, 'he broke the ministerial code,' to, 'he stole my idea'. I've put my views across on a policy that I've been working on for months in an op-ed. I have the receipts...Give it a read, and let's continue to discuss. I won't be intimidated to drop my views. Stay classy. Oh, and I'm in a wedding in San Francisco, but I'm happy to talk more when I'm back."
Background of the Dispute
Mahmood had asked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer—who announced his own resignation earlier this week—to fire Tapp after the minister wrote an article arguing that foreign care workers should be exempt from her stricter immigration rules. Tapp, whose constituency of Dover and Deal is a major entry point for illegal boat crossings, stated it was his "strong belief" that migrants in the care sector should not face longer waits for British passports.
According to sources, Starmer refused to dismiss Tapp despite Mahmood's request. It has also emerged that Mahmood was not informed about the article beforehand and had not authorized it, violating the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility, which requires ministers to clear public statements with their superiors.
Political Fallout
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp seized on the dispute, telling the Daily Express it was evidence of more "chaos and infighting" in the Labour Party. He accused Tapp of "openly defying her in a brazen attempt to get a place in Burnham's cabinet," referring to Andy Burnham, who is rumored to be a potential successor to Starmer.
The incident has further destabilized the Labour government amid ongoing leadership uncertainty. Tapp's defiance and Starmer's refusal to intervene highlight deepening divisions within the party over immigration policy ahead of a potential leadership contest.
