UK Immigration minister Mark Harper quits over cleaner's visa

[Lite Beer]

Immigration minister Mark Harper quits over cleaner's visa

Immigration minister Mark Harper has resigned from the government after it emerged his cleaner did not have permission to work in the UK.

Mr Harper notified Prime Minister David Cameron, who accepted his resignation "with regret", Number 10 said.

It added there was "no suggestion" the 43-year-old Conservative MP for the Forest of Dean had "knowingly employed an illegal immigrant".

Fellow Tory James Brokenshire has been appointed the new immigration minister.

In his letter to the PM, Mr Harper said he would continue in his role as MP.

He explained he had made checks when he first employed the cleaner at his London flat in April 2007, taking a copy of her passport and a Home Office letter which stated she had the right to work in the UK.

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26101442

-- BBC 2014-02-09

[Basil B]

Now the man responsible for the agencies that enforce immigration and fine employers who employ illegal immigrants or tourists who do not have the right to work in the UK can not get it right?

The number of time I have seen it on "fly on the wall" documentaries where UKBA enforcement officers have asked employers if the kept copies of the documents they supposedly have checked?

Most times the lame excuse is they can not find them, just how frequently does ILR and right to work get cancelled, did this employee take a leave of absence in excess of 2 or more years or something?

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies deleted.

[Jay Sata]

I have to agree with you Basil.

It's the old story of those who can afford to pay wanting to employ domestic staff for peanuts.

Mark Harper must have noticed his cleaner was not an old lady pushing a mop with a fag hanging out of her mouth and an east end accent.

Whatever the political slant they all have form. Let's spool back to 22nd Sept 2009.

GordonBrown today decided to allow the attorney general, Lady Scotland, to remain in government after she was fined £5,000 for employing an illegal immigrant.

The prime minister said he had decided to take no further action because Scotland had employed Loloahi Tapui, a housekeeper from Tonga, "in good faith" and had apologised "unreservedly".

But the Tories demanded Scotland's immediate resignation, pointing out that she was being punished for breaking a law that she had helped steer through parliament.

Scotland issued a full apology for the offence.

It happened because although she did not know her housekeeper was not entitled to work in the UK, she failed to comply with regulations saying employers have to keep copies of the documents they have inspected about their employees' immigration status.

Scotland asked to see documents showing that Tapui was allowed to work in the UK, as the law requires. But she did not keep copies – also a legal requirement.http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/sep/22/lady-scotland-illegal-immigrant-brown

The UK Royal Family are the same. Here is a job at Buckingham Palace in London. £280 a week before tax and having to cope with London prices!

You will carry out a range of duties at a number of Royal residences in the UK, including:
• the cleaning and presentation of accommodation;
• the care of antiques and specialist cleaning;
• personally caring for guests; and
• front-of-house duties at receptions and other events.

If you fancy working at Buck House check in here http://www.royal.gov.uk/theroyalhousehold/overview.aspx

Edited February 9, 2014 by Jay Sata

[mightyatom]

I have to agree with you Basil.

It's the old story of those who can afford to pay wanting to employ domestic staff for peanuts.

Mark Harper must have noticed his cleaner was not an old lady pushing a mop with a fag hanging out of her mouth and an east end accent.

Whatever the political slant they all have form. Let's spool back to 22nd Sept 2009.

GordonBrown today decided to allow the attorney general, Lady Scotland, to remain in government after she was fined £5,000 for employing an illegal immigrant.

The prime minister said he had decided to take no further action because Scotland had employed Loloahi Tapui, a housekeeper from Tonga, "in good faith" and had apologised "unreservedly".

But the Tories demanded Scotland's immediate resignation, pointing out that she was being punished for breaking a law that she had helped steer through parliament.

Scotland issued a full apology for the offence.

It happened because although she did not know her housekeeper was not entitled to work in the UK, she failed to comply with regulations saying employers have to keep copies of the documents they have inspected about their employees' immigration status.

Scotland asked to see documents showing that Tapui was allowed to work in the UK, as the law requires. But she did not keep copies – also a legal requirement.http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/sep/22/lady-scotland-illegal-immigrant-brown

The UK Royal Family are the same. Here is a job at Buckingham Palace in London. £280 a week before tax and having to cope with London prices!

You will carry out a range of duties at a number of Royal residences in the UK, including:

• the cleaning and presentation of accommodation;

• the care of antiques and specialist cleaning;

• personally caring for guests; and

• front-of-house duties at receptions and other events.

If you fancy working at Buck House check in here http://www.royal.gov.uk/theroyalhousehold/overview.aspx

Personally I wouldn't jump all over these people, they are after all human and we all let things slide now and then. I know I do, and I think that goes for most of us.

Add to that, the fact that we are so used to seeing how people in high office and positions of great responsibility conduct themselves here completely unchecked, I would say in comparison that by and large, the ministers in the UK are angels compared to your typical Thai.

He also did do the honourable thing and resigned office even though the 'offense' was pretty much negligible and didn't really affect anyone negatively.

See what happens in the UK when someone steps out of line even the tiniest bit?.... The media are all over it like it was the biggest scandal since Watergate.

I thought I would add a bit of clarity to the sentence regarding a job at Buck House. My sister in law's late mother, bless her soul, took up a position in the Royal Household as a maid way back in the 70s. She had worked as a nanny for a rich family in Chelsea before taking the job.

She worked there for a few years and told us over Christmas dinner one year, that the Queen was really friendly, although she was not allowed to speak to her 'unless spoken to' but Her Majesty always had time for the staff. Her fave was the Queen Mother. Phillip was a miserable sod, but surprisingly Prince Charles was very friendly and Princess Diane was an absolute standoffish snob.

But even though the wages were standard or a little above, you got free rent in the staff quarters, free food, you had to pay for nothing and you also got a very decent Christmas bonus. However, the main benefit was that after she left the household, she could write her own ticket and work just about anywhere she wanted with her open reference with the Royal stamp on it.

Her expected salary after that rocketed, because some people will pay very highly for someone who worked for the Royal Household. You were basically considered the Rolls Royce of hired help.

Sorry for going a little off topic, but thought you lot may be interested.

Edited February 9, 2014 by mightyatom

[Jay Sata]

Nice little story there mighty atom and it puts the salary in context.

As you correctly point out in the UK politicians and indeed everyone in the public eye is held to account unlike Thailand where the

the likes of the Red Bull heir are above the law.

[Steely Dan]

Fellow Tory James Brokenshire has been appointed the new immigration minister.

Brokenshire, how very appropriate.

[englishoak]

This is how a minister should act and take responsibility, by resigning... something here ministers could take a hint from

[sceadugenga]

It's amusing to compare different countries attitudes here.

UK: Minister has an affair... a little amused eye rolling and some tabloid frenzy.

US: Minister/senior Senator has an affair... political suicide.

UK: Minister employs illegal immigrant to mop floors... Political suicide.

US: Minister employs illegal immigrant to mop floors.... Total indifference.

[metisdead]

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[Thongkorn]

I hope Scotland leaves the UK then we can deport all the Scottish people making rules for England. none have visas.

[Basil B]

I hope Scotland leaves the UK then we can deport all the Scottish people making rules for England. none have visas.

Interesting point, also in the new today "Scottish independence: Barroso says joining EU would be 'difficult'" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26215963

So with Scotland outside the EU would mean boarder control at Gretna, (customs and Immigration), and Scotland would also not be able to use the Euro either.

Up side Scotland could deport all them Europeans.

I am all for independent Scotland, so I am campaigning for us English to have a vote to "kick em out" if their referendum votes no to Independence...

Edited February 16, 2014 by Basil B

[Scott]

Let's please stay on topic.