Home Office officials have launched a formal investigation into Shadow Minister Seema Malhotra after allegations emerged that a UK Border Force vessel was utilised for a personal excursion to Belgium.
The probe, confirmed by multiple Whitehall sources, centres on whether the Labour MP for Feltham and Heston misused government resources. The incident is said to have involved a day trip across the North Sea.
A Home Office spokesman stated: "We can confirm that a member of the Border Force is being investigated following an incident. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
The controversy erupted after reports suggested the publicly-funded patrol boat was tasked for a journey that was not official government business. Border Force vessels are critical assets for safeguarding the UK's coastline, conducting operations against illegal immigration, smuggling, and other maritime security threats.
Ms. Malhotra, who serves as Shadow Minister for Police and Crime, has yet to issue a full public statement on the specific allegations. The investigation will seek to establish the precise nature of the trip, who authorised it, and whether any protocols were breached.
This incident places the Labour frontbencher under significant scrutiny and raises serious questions about the proper use of sensitive government assets. The outcome of the Home Office's internal inquiry is awaited by both sides of the political divide.
