It’s too early to tell if the chaos in the UKBA is about to prove fatal to the Home Secretary. What is not in doubt is the confusion. The Minister says one thing and the former departmental boss says another, backing his challenge with lawyers. Whatever this looks, it is not good. Cameron will wish this excitement away, but it does not look as if it is any longer beneath the wishing threshold.
Following David Laws and Liam Fox, with Chris Huhne teetering (why does it take so long to investigate those speeding points?) another unexpected departure from the government would be unfortunate. The Home Office has become a poisoned chalice. It is in charge of so many emotive issues with so many agencies within its thrall, that being appointed Home secretary is now equivalent to being made Northern Ireland Secretary at the height of the troubles. If May falls, Cameron would be really clever if he put Nick Clegg in the job. The difficulty is that Nick is cleverer; he would say no