18th November, 2011, 1:34 pm John Reid: I didn’t say “not fit for purpose” Share this article: John Reid’s tenure as Home Secretary is perhaps best known for his quote that the department was not “fit for purpose”. Except, he revealed last night, that he’d never actually said the phrase. Watch the video below: Tags: Immigration / John Reid / Home Office / Subscribe to our daily email More from LabourList News LabourList opportunities: Freelancers needed for devolved and local elections Do you have unique Labour-focused insight into the electoral politics of Scotland, Wales or your local government area?… LabourList Staff 15th January, 2026, 1:27 pm News Full list of Labour rebels over move to ban protests at animal testing sites More than two dozen Labour MPs rebelled against the government on plans to ban protests outside animal testing… Daniel Green 15th January, 2026, 12:27 pm Columnist Ben Cooper column: ‘On housing, Labour should build a lasting legacy’ The government’s planning reforms will transform housebuilding in England. Across the country, more homes will be built near… Ben Cooper 15th January, 2026, 6:00 am
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