Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the Home Secretary’s admission that she has not initiated a review into recent citizenship grants that may have missed criminal records checks said:

“No wonder the Home Secretary tried to bury this report last week – it’s clear since the Independent Chief Inspector gave Theresa May his report on citizenship, she has done nothing to check whether further mistakes have occurred.

“She just isn’t taking this seriously – it’s a complete derogation of duty.

“There should be a review of naturalisations over the last 12 months. She should look immediately at the cases John Vine identified to see whether those serious criminals given citizenship have committed any further crimes and also whether their citizenship can be withdrawn.

“Instead the Home Secretary delayed John Vine’s report, is sitting on a group of completed reports as we speak, and has not reviewed whether other grants of citizenship may have been given to people with serious criminal records.

“The Home Secretary should initiate this review and adopt John Vine’s recommendation to require criminal records certificates from applicants for British citizenship.”