Former borders watchdog David Neal has criticized the Home Office, calling it “dysfunctional” and urging urgent reforms.
Neal, who was sacked from his role as chief inspector of borders and immigration last month, has been vocal about what he perceives as serious issues within the department.
Neal’s dismissal came after he raised concerns about the Border Force allegedly allowing “high-risk” aircraft to land in the UK without proper security checks, a claim the Home Office refuted.
Despite losing his job, Neal remains steadfast in his criticism, stating that he faced consequences for speaking out but maintains a clear conscience.
In response to Neal’s comments, Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that Neal had breached the terms of his appointment, leading to a loss of confidence in him.
Mr Neal said failings in the immigration system go “right to the top” of the Home Office. “The Home Office is dysfunctional, the Home Office needs reform.”
Following his dismissal, the Home Office released 13 reports authored by David Neal on the same day as critical findings from an inquiry into the murder of Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens.
This timing led to accusations that the government was attempting to overshadow negative news.
One of Neal’s reports highlighted shortcomings in security measures at UK airports, stating that ePassport gates were occasionally left unmanned, rendering protections “neither effective nor efficient.”
He further noted that roving officers were often diverted from their duties by managing queues and addressing passenger inquiries, resulting in subpar execution of essential tasks.
According to the report, “Inspectors saw border posts left unmanned while officers signaled for attention from their managers. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed urgently.”
Mr. Neal implied that his dismissal, coupled with the absence of a replacement, could result in reduced scrutiny of border-related matters, including the Rwanda asylum scheme.
“I’ve been sacked. So there will be no scrutiny of small boats, there will be no scrutiny of adults at risk in detention which is a controversial area, there will be no publishing of the Rwanda material,” said Neal.
Home Office Responds To Borders Watchdog’s Dismissal
A Home Office spokesman said, “It is the job of the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration to identify challenges in our system, including those proposed by Border Force, so we can take action to address them.”
He added that it’s important to recognize that each report from the independent chief inspector would offer only a limited view of the ongoing situation, and won’t necessarily reflect the changes implemented in response to their findings.
“A program of work is already well under way to reform and strengthen Border Force’s capabilities. This is delivering on the prime minister’s pledge to make our structures and resources as strong as possible,” he said.
The spokesman indicated that collaborative efforts between the Home Office, Border Force, and the NCA, along with international partners, are actively working to deter illegal immigration via sea routes.
According to him, this strategy is yielding results, as evidenced by a decrease of one-third in small boat arrivals.
The incident leading to David Neal’s dismissal centered around his accusations of “dangerous failings” in border security within the Home Office.
Neal alleged that checks were not conducted on numerous private jets arriving at London City Airport, posing serious risks.
According to Neal, this security lapse could enable organized criminals to transport gang members and contraband into the country.
Additionally, he raised concerns that individuals without the right to enter the UK might be smuggled in through such negligence.
In response, the Home Office firmly refuted Neal’s claims, asserting that he had disseminated misleading data to the public.
Despite this, Neal stood by his assertions, stating that he was sacked for “speaking truth to power” during his appearance before the Home Affairs Committee in late February 2024.
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