In a debate on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in the House of Commons on 22 January, Stephen pressed the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Steve Barclay about the removal of provisions to support family reunion for child refugees after Britain leaves the EU. The debate centred around a Lords amendment tabled by Lord Alf Dubs.
Stephen commented afterwards: “It was fairly clear before the vote yesterday that the Government would get its way; but very unclear why it opposed the amendment. The Minister claimed that the Government’s policy had not changed, but that the legislation reflecting that policy should change. It gave no good reason for doing so. Many of us are left very uneasy about the Government’s real intentions.'“