Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has launched a scathing attack on the government after revelations that Home Secretary James Cleverly was not informed about a major police manhunt unfolding in Essex.
The Labour frontbencher demanded urgent answers about what he called a "serious breakdown in communication" at the highest levels of government, questioning how such a significant security operation could escape the Home Secretary's attention.
Security Protocol Failures Exposed
During a tense exchange in Parliament, Lammy highlighted the concerning lapse in security protocols. "The public will be rightly alarmed that the Home Secretary was left in the dark about a major police operation," Lammy stated, pressing for clarity on when ministers should be notified about ongoing security matters.
The controversy emerged following a manhunt in Essex that saw significant police resources deployed, yet apparently bypassed the normal chain of command that should have alerted the Home Office.
Government Under Fire
Conservative ministers faced tough questioning about the incident, with Lammy suggesting it revealed deeper problems within the government's handling of security matters. The shadow minister emphasised that such failures could have serious implications for public safety and operational effectiveness.
Police representatives have yet to comment on why standard notification procedures weren't followed in this case, leaving questions unanswered about whether this was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern.
Calls for Transparency
Lammy has called for full transparency about the circumstances surrounding the communication breakdown. "The British public deserves to know that their security is being properly managed at the highest levels," he argued, promising continued pressure until satisfactory answers are provided.
The incident has sparked broader debates about ministerial accountability and the flow of critical information between law enforcement agencies and government officials during ongoing operations.
