A Labour minister has suggested the Government could allow police to reveal suspects’ immigration status in major criminal cases.

Dame Diana Johnson told GB News she backed "greater transparency" when discussing new police guidance on releasing suspects’ ethnic and national backgrounds.

"In terms of asylum seekers and the status of any claim they're making, the Home Office has made it plain that in future, in cases that will be looked at, that [immigration] information could be made available," the minister stated.

Dame Diana Johnson revealed that immigration status could also be made available

She emphasised that officials were "working through how that would actually work" whilst maintaining that "transparency and openness are really important".

Ellie Costello labelled that change "the biggest shake-up to policing guidelines in a generation" and asked: "Do you think the British public has a right to know whether or not someone has the right to be here?"

Dame Diana Johnson said: "I would really welcome the openness and transparency of giving that information about ethnicity and nationality at the point of charge.

"We give names and addresses often at that point, but in these high-profile cases, it’s absolutely right that transparency is there and that information is provided in terms of asylum seekers and the status of any claim they’re making."

The National Police Chiefs' Council unveiled fresh guidance early this morning, directing forces to consider revealing the ethnic background and nationality of charged suspects in prominent investigations.

The immediate implementation of these measures aims to counter false information spreading rapidly through social media channels and enhance public safety during sensitive cases.

Forces will retain discretion over disclosure decisions whilst weighing broader legal and ethical factors, according to the NPCC announcement.

The guidance represents a significant shift from the cautious approach adopted following Lord Leveson's 2012 press ethics inquiry, which led to more restrictive information-sharing practices.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, who leads NPCC communications, highlighted the "real-world consequences" of police information policies, referencing how misinformation contributed to widespread disorder across England and Northern Ireland last summer.

The shift towards greater transparency follows several controversial incidents where limited information disclosure sparked public unrest.

The National Police Chiefs' Council unveiled fresh guidance early this morning

When Axel Rudakubana murdered three young girls in Southport last July, authorities withheld details about his background, allowing false narratives to proliferate online and contributing to violent disturbances that erupted between July 30 and August 5, 2024.

By contrast, Merseyside Police promptly announced that a driver who struck Liverpool FC supporters celebrating their Premier League victory in May was a white British male, successfully preventing terrorist attack rumours.

More recently, Warwickshire Police faced criticism after declining to confirm reports that two men charged with allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton were Afghan asylum seekers, prompting an alleged cover-up.

The new framework establishes specific criteria for information release, requiring a clear policing rationale such as combating disinformation, enhancing public safety, or serving significant public interest.