Stephen Morgan votes to force publication of Government documents on Windrush
Today Stephen Morgan MP joined Labour efforts to use the same Parliamentary procedure that was used to force the Government to hand over 58 Brexit impact papers to bring about a binding vote demanding the publication of internal Government correspondence on the Windrush Scandal.
The motion was sadly defeated by the Government with Tory MPs three-line whipped to vote against it.
Labour’s opposition day motion called on the Government to provide the Home Affairs Select Committee with all papers, correspondence and advice – including emails and text messages – from 11 May 2010 up to 1 May 2018, between Ministers, senior officials and Special Advisers relating to policy decisions with regard to ‘Windrush generation’ cases. This includes deportations, detentions and refusal of re-entry, the setting of deportation and removal targets and their effects on people’s lives.
Labour demanded answers to the serious questions which remain over the Government’s actions, to find out exactly what Ministers, including Theresa May, knew and the impact of their hostile environment policy on people’s lives.
This follows Theresa May’s refusal to come before the House on Monday to answer an urgent question from Labour’s Diane Abbott over the Government’s handling of the affair.
Labour attempted to use an ancient, but still effective, Parliamentary procedure that gives the House of Commons the power to require Ministers to release Government papers to Parliament. Unlike typical opposition day debates, the motion, if passed, will be binding on the Government.
Stephen Morgan MP, said:
‘The Windrush generation have been treated shamefully and deserve full accountability from their Government. Amber Rudd may be gone, but the toxic agenda she inherited started before her tenure.
It’s deeply disappointing the Government have chosen to cover their tracks and protect the PM in voting against this motion.
If the opposition are to properly hold the Government to account, we need the full story on the policies the PM created and drove through from the Home Office into Downing Street.’
