Theresa May challenged by Boris Johnson over Windrush immigration scandal
GETTY Theresa May oversaw migration policy for six years
Mr Johnson confronted the Prime Minister in Cabinet saying there needs to be a “broader” amnesty for those from Commonwealth nations and elsewhere - so long as they are “squeaky clean” with no criminal records. The move comes amid growing debate in Government over the treatment of migrants in the wake of the Windrush immigration scandal. According to a witness, the Foreign Secretary and the PM were irreconcilable during the exchange, saying: “It was fascinating in that it was obvious that she wished for it to be closed down and he was keen to stamp his view in Cabinet. “It was bad.”
According to The Spectator, the amnesty demand was designed to stop other long-standing Caribbean migrants having to provide huge amounts of evidence to prove they had been living in the UK for years. It goes further than measures outlined by Home Secretary Amber Rudd yesterday to defuse the Windrush scandal. The Spectator added that Mrs May added “rather acidly” that Mr Johnson had previously called for an amnesty for all immigrants. He did so in 2008 and again in 2016 when he privately proposed one for people who had been here for more than a decade. Mr Johnson’s intervention seems to be a direct challenge to the Mrs May who oversaw migration policy for six years at the Home Office and has always resisted proposals for an amnesty. The Foreign Secretary also called for police to use stop-and-search powers more which other ministers felt openly challenged the PM’s record on the issue. Mr Johnson appears to have been annoyed by the exchange. One source said: “He then went in on the EU customs union issue a little later as he was obviously very agitated and annoyed.”
GETTY Theresa May and Boris Johnson were 'irreconcilable' during the exchange
Mr Johnson’s intervention seems to be a direct challenge to the Mrs May who oversaw migration policy for six years at the Home Office and has always resisted proposals for an amnesty. The Foreign Secretary also called for police to use stop-and-search powers more which other ministers felt openly challenged the PM’s record on the issue. Mr Johnson appears to have been annoyed by the exchange. One source said: “He then went in on the EU customs union issue a little later as he was obviously very agitated and annoyed.”
GETTY Theresa May said 'acidly' that Boris Johnson had previously called for an amnesty for all immigrants