A letter co-signed by Shabana Mahmood MP in 2020, which urged the government to halt a controversial deportation flight to Jamaica, has resurfaced online after her appointment as home secretary.
Shabana Mahmood, the newly appointed home secretary under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is facing criticism over a letter she co-signed in 2020 opposing a planned deportation flight carrying convicted foreign nationals. The letter, also signed by then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and dozens of other MPs, specifically raised concerns about the fairness and legality of deporting individuals who may have come to the UK as children or lacked proper legal representation.
Among those due to be deported on that flight was a man convicted of child rape, according to media reports at the time. The inclusion of such individuals has led to renewed criticism from political opponents, with Conservative councillor Jack Rydeheard posting on social media: “How can we trust someone like her to prioritise our safety and tackle illegal immigration? I certainly don’t.”
However, the original letter did not request the release of specific individuals or condone their crimes. Instead, it called for a pause in deportations to ensure due process and fair access to legal advice. The MPs argued that deporting individuals who may not have had the chance to fully appeal their cases risked violating legal and human rights standards.
The 2020 deportation flight itself became a flashpoint in public discourse. It took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, and shortly after the Windrush Scandal had cast a spotlight on government deportation practices. Several people due to be deported had their removals halted by court injunctions.
A government spokesperson at the time defended the removals, saying: “We make no apology for seeking to remove dangerous foreign criminals to keep the public safe.”
Mahmood, who represents Birmingham Ladywood, has not yet issued a statement in response to the renewed criticism. Her previous work has focused on legal justice and social policy, and she served as shadow justice secretary before her promotion to the home secretary post this week.
Labour has pledged a new approach to immigration that includes stricter border enforcement alongside improved asylum processing. In her new role, Mahmood is expected to oversee the implementation of these pledges.
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