The Home Office has extended the interim immigration inspector’s term by up to three months to “enable sufficient time to conclude the recruitment process” for the permanent role.
In January, the Home Office named immigration services commissioner John Tuckett as the government’s preferred candidate to become independent chief inspector of borders and immigration.
The Home Affairs Committee backed ministers’ pick for the job following a pre-appointment hearing in February, subject to the Finland-based candidate spending the "majority of his working time" in London or on inspections.
But in a letter to the Home Affairs Committee, migration minister Seema Malhotra said she had agreed to extend interim ICIBI David Bolt’s term in the temporary post by up to three months.
Bolt – who was chief inspector from 2015 to 2021 – has led the inspectorate since last May. He was drafted in three months after then-home secretary James Cleverly sacked the last permanent independent chief inspector, David Neal, from the post over comments he made to the media about border security.
The extension means the watchdog role will have been vacant for well over a year by the time Neal’s permanent replacement takes up the job.
Malhotra said the extension would give the Home Office time to complete the recruitment process and “ensure a smooth transition”.
The minister said she was grateful for the committee’s report following its pre-appointment hearing with Tuckett and will provide a response “shortly”.
“I look forward to working with you on this important appointment process,” she added.