Priti Patel cancelled meeting with father of murdered Lorraine Cox, MPs told
The 32-year-old was killed in Exeter in 2020 after going missing on a night out
The father of murdered Lorraine Cox was left upset after Home Secretary Priti Patel cancelled a long-arranged meeting, MPs have heard.
Labour former minister Ben Bradshaw demanded a Commons statement on the "whereabouts of the Home Secretary" after she pulled out of a meeting with Tony Cox.
Mr Cox's 32-year-old daughter was murdered after going missing on a night out in 2020.
Azam Mangori, who killed Miss Cox in his room above an Exeter kebab shop, was jailed for life and told to serve a minimum of 20 years' imprisonment.
Ms Patel, earlier this week, came under fire after cancelling her appearance at the Commons Home Affairs Committee at late notice.
She was due to be questioned by MPs over the plan to send migrants to Rwanda and other Home Office policies, but cited "recent changes in Government" and to her ministerial team among her reasons for her withdrawal.
Mr Bradshaw, MP for Exeter, asked Commons Leader Mark Spencer: "Could we have a statement on the whereabouts of the Home Secretary?
"Because along with her failure to appear before the Home Affairs Committee yesterday, she cancelled a long-arranged meeting on Monday with Tony Cox - the father of my constituent Lorraine Cox, who was brutally murdered in September 2020.
"It would be an understatement to say Mr Cox is upset about this, particularly given the Home Secretary's previous admission that the circumstances surrounding Lorraine's murder represented total state failure."
Mr Bradshaw said there are concerns about the "serious police failings" in the murder investigation and about the "lack of Government action generally to improve women's safety".
Mr Spencer replied: "I will, of course, make sure the Home Secretary is aware of his comments and write to her directly on his behalf.
"She will be here on September 5, first day back after summer recess, and I hope (Mr Bradshaw) will be in his place to hold her to account."
Some opposition MPs could be heard doubting Ms Patel will still be in post, given a new Tory leader to succeed Boris Johnson is expected to be announced on the same day.
The Home Office said Ms Patel met with Miss Cox's family last year and is seeking to rearrange the cancelled meeting.
The department did not specify the reason for the cancellation, and noted a meeting was offered with policing minister Tom Pursglove.