Labour has launched a scathing attack on the Home Office, alleging a 'shameful' attempt to conceal crucial data on small boat arrivals just days before a pivotal by-election. The explosive claims centre on leaked documents suggesting officials deliberately withheld information from the public.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has written an urgent letter to the Permanent Secretary, demanding a full explanation. The letter points to internal emails and documents that indicate a conscious decision was made not to publish the data, which contradicted the government's own narrative on falling asylum numbers.
A Political Firestorm Erupts
The controversy ignited when a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that the Home Office had compiled the disputed figures. Labour asserts this amounts to a deliberate cover-up designed to mislead the public and avoid political embarrassment.
'This is a shameful attempt to hide the truth from the public,' a Labour source stated. 'The Home Office needs to be transparent and come clean about what they knew and when.'
Conservatives Deny Wrongdoing
In response, Conservative MPs have dismissed the allegations as a 'baseless political stunt'. They maintain that the data in question was part of a broader set of statistics and was not deemed suitable for individual publication, denying any malicious intent.
The timing of the revelation is particularly sensitive, coinciding with the final stretch of the Rochdale by-election campaign. The incident has intensified the ongoing political battle over the government's record on immigration and small boat crossings.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on the Home Office's response to the formal letter from the Shadow Home Secretary. The department is under mounting pressure to provide a comprehensive account of its decision-making process and to release the data in full.
This developing story threatens to become another major headache for Rishi Sunak's government as it struggles to maintain control of the immigration narrative.
