The energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, appears to have criticised Shabana Mahmood’s migration policy in a post on her constituency website, in which she suggested she had concerns that a longer settlement process could affect integration.
Fahnbulleh has since removed the critique, which appeared in a write-up of a community meeting in Peckham, her south London constituency, in September, saying it was not a true representation of her views.
In the original write-up of her comments at the town hall meeting, first highlighted by the Telegraph, Fahnbulleh was reported to have said: “If we continually prolong the time people have to wait for settlement, we can also prolong the process of building cohesion.” Her office said the remarks had been paraphrased, and would be rewritten to reflect a more accurate description of what she had told residents.
The government has proposed increasing the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five years to 10, though it is likely to make concessions for some professions, including care workers.
The changes will also mean the pathway to permanent settlement for refugees is extended to up to 20 years, with reviews every 30 months. The government is yet to publish its long-anticipated final response to a consultation on the proposals – though the prime minister, Andy Burnham, has said he is committed to the bulk of the changes.
Tensions in the cabinet have already surfaced over the proposals. Last month the housing secretary, Angela Rayner, said in an interview that the proposed changes – if left unamended – would unfairly penalise care staff who had “moved their lives here to look after our loved ones”.
Fahnbulleh came to the UK as a child after fleeing the civil war in Liberia. Speaking to the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast last month, she admitted her family would have found Mahmood’s changes “tough”.
“I represent a constituency which is hugely diverse, where we’ve got first, second, third-generation immigrants, and how we navigate this landscape has been tough,” she added.
With Mahmood believed to be considering changing her plans, Fahnbulleh said she wanted the government to recognise migrants’ contributions.
“I think we ultimately need to get to an immigration system that has control … but actually then recognises the contribution that people have made. And if you’re in this country and you’re working – I say this as a refugee – and you’re doing your bit, and you’re part of your community, you’re working in our health service, then actually this should be a country that welcomes you,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be here if that wasn’t the way that we structured our immigration system. It has always been the case that this country is a welcoming country, and I’m sure it will continue to be that way.”
In her address to her Peckham constituents, Fahnbulleh said the debate had become “increasingly depressing and toxic”. She said there needed to be “a more compassionate immigration system. The asylum process is broken and needs reform. Ultimately, I want to see a system based on control and compassion, with a much stronger focus on integration.”
She continued: “Peckham is a good example of what can happen when communities are built deliberately, and people are given the opportunity to integrate and participate. If we continually prolong the time people have to wait for settlement, we can also prolong the process of building cohesion.
“We need to raise the level of the debate, challenge divisive political rhetoric and make the case for communities like the one we have in Peckham. That means talking about immigration with care, control and compassion.”
