Labour MP Jo White has been appointed as Minister for Migration and Citizenship following the Government's latest ministerial reshuffle, succeeding Mike Tapp in the role.
Ms White takes over responsibility for legal migration and border policy after Mr Tapp confirmed his departure from the Home Office earlier this week, thanking colleagues and pledging to continue supporting the Government from the backbenches.
Her appointment comes after recent reports surrounding a leaked audio recording in which she was alleged to have said: "I don't care if we stop the boats."
Responding to those reports on X, Ms White rejected that interpretation, writing:
"This is an edited audio clip which deliberately and fraudulently misquotes me speaking at a meeting with local residents last year.
What I actually said and confirmed by a resident who attended the meeting was 'I don't care who stops the boats, as long as they are stopped.'"
Ms White's statement is the first public response from the new minister since the recording received wider attention. She maintains that the clip circulating online has been edited and does not accurately reflect what she said at the meeting.
No official findings have been published regarding the recording, and no independent determination has been made about the competing claims. Ms White's comments therefore represent her response to the allegations.
As the new Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Ms White is expected to play a central role in the Government's immigration policy, including legal migration, border security and measures aimed at tackling illegal Channel crossings.
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