Fahnbulleh says she backs home secretary on migration after comments to journalists
Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has clarified her support for the government's migration reforms after a previous interview where she declined to explicitly back the policy. She described her earlier hesitation as a light-hearted, self-deprecating remark that was misinterpreted.
Why it matters
The incident highlights internal political tensions within the UK government regarding controversial immigration policy changes.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Miatta Fahnbulleh initially did not explicitly back the government's proposals
The energy minister has insisted she backs Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms after she made what she described as a "light-hearted remark".
Miatta Fahnbulleh was repeatedly asked in an interview on Wednesday whether she supported the government's plans to increase the time it takes for migrants to gain permanent UK residency, but refused to.
Referring to that exchange, she joked to reporters on Thursday that she did not explicitly answer the question because she had told herself she would "never lie".
In a later statement, she said: "Today I made what was meant to be a light-hearted self-deprecating remark. I didn't get it right and it hasn't come off as I intended."
She added: "I fully support our home secretary and the government's position on migration reform."
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