Tag: Nick Thomas-Symonds

Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2021 Statement on 150,000 Arrest Records Deleted by Home Office

The statement made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 15 January 2021.

This is an extraordinarily serious security breach that presents huge dangers for public safety.

The incompetence of this shambolic Government cannot be allowed to put people at risk, let criminals go free and deny victims justice.

The Home Secretary must take responsibility for this serious problem. She must – urgently – make a statement about what has gone wrong, the extent of the issue, and what action is being taken to reassure the public. Answers must be given.

January 15, 2021
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2021 Comments on Travel Ban from South American and Portugal

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 14 January 2021.

It is a necessary step that arrivals from Brazil, neighbouring countries and Portugal will be banned. However, this is yet another example of government incompetence, lurching from one crisis and rushed announcement to another. The failure to put in place an effective policy on testing before entry and a quarantine system that is checking only one in 100 people is putting lives at risk.

January 14, 2021
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2021 Comments on Testing Passengers Entering the UK

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 8 January 2021.

This is a necessary step, as it’s vital to do everything possible to control the spread of the virus and any further strains.

However, Labour has been calling for a comprehensive strategy on testing for international travel since April. Instead the Government has been lurching from one crisis to another.

In that time they have lost control of the virus and risked leaving the nation’s doors unlocked against the possibility of different strains of the virus entering the country from across the world.

January 8, 2021
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2020 Comments on the Provisional Police Grant

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 17 December 2020.

The Prime Minister’s promise on police recruitment is unravelling. The Tories are putting the cost of extra officers onto local Council Tax payers and demanding £120m of ‘efficiency savings’, which will mean further cuts to already overstretched Police Forces.

This settlement also expects the police force to recruit the same number of officers as last year, but for less money.

You simply can’t trust the Conservatives to keep people safe.

December 19, 2020
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2020 Comments on the Behaviour of Priti Patel

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 19 November 2020.

These revelations could not be more serious.

This has all the hallmarks of a cover up from the Prime Minister and raises fundamental questions about his judgement.

His actions are all but condoning bullying in the workplace. In any other area of life this would not be acceptable. Yet again, it seems to be one rule for them and another for everyone else.

The report needs to be published in full immediately and both the Prime Minister and Home Secretary must come before Parliament to answer questions on this mess.

November 19, 2020
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2020 Comments on Priti Patel Bullying Report

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 11 November 2020.

It is a disgrace that the report into allegations of bullying against the Home Secretary is being suppressed.

Continuing to refuse to release the report not only makes clear that the Tories have something to hide, it also undermines trust in politics at a crucial time. The report must be published without further delay.

November 13, 2020
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2020 Comments on Terror Threat Level

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 3 November 2020.

This decision should not cause undue alarm but shows the importance of people continuing to be vigilant. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the police or the anti-terrorism hotline.

We are grateful for the work of the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, our Security Services and our Counter-Terror Policing who continue to carry out vital work to keep us safe.

November 5, 2020
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2020 Comments on the Home Secretary’s Speech

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 4 October 2020.

The Tories talk about a broken immigration system, but they have been in power for a decade and are the political party that broke it.

Recent experience suggests they have not learned any lessons at all, with unconscionable, absurd proposals about floating walls and creating waves in the English Channel to push back boats and sending people thousands of miles away to process claims. The truth is the Tories are devoid of compassion and competence.

October 5, 2020
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2020 Comments on Leaked Government Plans to Process Asylum Offshore

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 1 October 2020.

The Tories are lurching from one inhumane and impractical idea to another. The idea of sending people to Ascension Island, creating waves in the English Channel to wash boats back and buying ferries and oil rigs to process asylum claims shows the Government has lost control and all sense of compassion.

They should listen to the cross party Foreign Affairs Select Committee and revisit the issue of safe routes and deliver the promised agreement with France, while reversing the terrible decision to abolish the Department for International Development.

October 1, 2020
Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2020 Comments on Use of National Security Legislation

The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 24 September 2020.

National security is the top priority for Labour and that means ensuring our security services are able to keep us safe, whilst operating within robust safeguards.

We will look closely at these proposals in that spirit.

September 24, 2020