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AIBU?

AIBU to laugh? Immigration minister resigns over employing illegal immigrant...

46 replies

WidowWadman · 08/02/2014 17:08

Mark Harper, the guy who came up with the racist vans quit bwahahaha

OP posts:

Report

Armadale · 08/02/2014 17:12

This is a quote from the article you linked:

"In 2007 when she was recruited to look after his London flat he was given a copy of her passport and a Home Office letter stating that she had indefinite leave to remain in the UK and the right to work and run a business.

Last month – mindful that he was steering the immigration bill through the Commons and publicly warning employers of the need to check the status of employees – he sought fresh evidence.

On Thursday morning, he said, he was informed after checking with immigration officials that she was in the country illegally."

FoxesRevenge · 08/02/2014 17:14

If he can't practice what he preaches then he was right to resign.

DanceParty · 08/02/2014 17:14

So.......he was given a copy of her passport and a letter stating she had indefinite leave. So he got conned. Along with thousands of other people.

Would YOU know a fake from a real one?

sayxa · 08/02/2014 17:15

"Racist vans". Oh dear.

WidowWadman · 08/02/2014 17:18

Seeing as he's behind a bill which seeks to force landlords to check their tenants' immigration status, it is funny, that he apparently didn't check properly.

I feel sorry for the cleaner, though.

OP posts:

Armadale · 08/02/2014 17:23

Sometimes I think mumsnet is a parallel universe.

You feel sorry for the employee who committed fraud by supplying false documents to obtain employement, rather than the employer who they deliberately misled.

Right.

OvertiredandConfused · 08/02/2014 17:36

Actually, I think it's rather refreshing to see an honourable resignation. He didn't break the law but knew his position was not good so he rooted himself and resigned. Can anyone remember the last time that happened? Resignation, not sacking? I'm struggling.

ForgettableTampon · 08/02/2014 17:46

yes I'm with Overtired, how refreshing he chose to step down not be pushed out

WidowWadman · 08/02/2014 17:49

And just in time before a Sunday paper could splash it, I guess.

OP posts:

Misspixietrix · 08/02/2014 17:58

Actually Fake Documents are ten a plenty on the Black Market. It is well known. He would have known this and could and should have verified the validity of the document by one quick phonecall to the Home Office. Just like every other Employer has to do.

Misspixietrix · 08/02/2014 17:58

Yes overtired. Liam Fox resigned and so did Andrew Mitchell.

honestpointofview · 08/02/2014 18:02

Hi Widow. Apparently not according to the news earlier there was no sign of a Sunday Newspaper running it. The said because of the bill he decided to check and when he got the result realised he had to resign.

Misspixietrix · 08/02/2014 18:02

Dance No we wouldn't. Which is why he should have checked.

MrsBW · 08/02/2014 18:02

Misspixietrix

Every other employer most certainly doesn't have to do that.

I'm with Armadale.

MrsBW · 08/02/2014 18:03

Although I'm sure they will now.

Making it harder for people legitimately trying. Ind work.

MrsBW · 08/02/2014 18:04

trying to find work

WidowWadman · 08/02/2014 18:05

MrsBW - of course employers are expected to check and could incur a fine link

OP posts:

Misspixietrix · 08/02/2014 18:05

Most certainly doesn't have to do what? Verify documents? Okay then. She would have had no NI number presumably. I'm sure it wasn't the attraction of a cheap cleaning contract that attracted him at all .

BuildUpMyFence · 08/02/2014 18:06

He should have stayed and worked on how to stop this happening to anyone else, that is what they like to do isn't it learn lessons and change policy so it never happens again?

Misspixietrix · 08/02/2014 18:07

Thankyou OP. My SIL only ran a cleaning business where she double checked everything. So she didn't incur a 10k fine. What would I know eh? .

MrsBW · 08/02/2014 18:10

Of course they're expected to check, sorry I'm not being clear.

They don't have to call the home office every time to check the veracity of documents provide... For example if someone provides a passport as proof.

Although, as I say, perhaps now they will.

honestpointofview · 08/02/2014 18:11

Hi Missp.

Sorry I do not think that is correct. Employers are not actually obliged to even ask to see documents but i accept the guidance from border agency is misleading. W The gudiance here www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/business-sponsors/preventing-illegal-working/ says you have a duty to check documents. Further down it the says you are not legally required to check documents but we recommend you do so. When they say check documents they mean look at them and take a copy that does not mean phoning the Home office to check the validity; as it says to gain a statutory excuse if you employee someone illegally, you just have for and take copies of originals.

MrsBW · 08/02/2014 18:13

And misspixie no need for the PA smiley face.

We can get into a game of 'why I must know what I'm talking about on this topic' if you'd like...

NoArmaniNoPunani · 08/02/2014 18:13

Will he have to pay a fine (like anyone else would if they employed an illegal immigrant)?

honestpointofview · 08/02/2014 18:13

Mrs BW in fact they do not have to check at all. Sensible employers do though. MissP I am am an employment lawyer and I would always advise my clients to take copies but only to phone if they thought the documents looked strange.

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