Immigration officer fired after putting wife on list of terrorists to stop her
flying home
By Steve Doughty
30th January 2011
Sacked: The UK Border Agency official was fired for gross misconduct, having
placed his wife's name on a list of people not allowed into Britain
An immigration officer tried to rid himself of his wife by adding her name to
a list of terrorist suspects.
He used his access to security databases to include his wife on a watch list of
people banned from boarding flights into Britain because their presence in the
country is 'not conducive to the public good'.
As a result the woman was unable for three years to return from Pakistan after
travelling to the county to visit family.
The tampering went undetected until the immigration officer was selected for
promotion and his wife name was found on the suspects' listduring a vetting
inquiry.
The Home Office confirmed today that the officer has been sacked for gross
misconduct.
Theincident is likely to raise new questions over levels of efficiency in the
UK Border Agency, the organisation formed nearly three years ago by then Home
Secretary Jacqui Smith to take over all immigration controls.
Ithas been criticised for poor performance by the Parliamentary Ombudsmanand
has suffered its share of humiliating incidents - for example the incident 19
months ago when an illegal immigrant escaped from the channel tunnel port at
Folkestone by clinging to the underside of a bus carrying Border Agency staff.
The Agency is charged with putting into operation the Coalition's policy of
reducing numbers of workers from outside Europe allowed into Britain.
Prime mover: Jacqui Smith set up the UK Border Agency three years ago, but
these latest revelations have led to calls for tighter vetting
A spokesman said: 'We expect the highest levels of integrity. Allegations of
misconduct are thoroughly investigated and we always take action swiftly where
we find members of staff who have abused their position.
'On the extremely rare occasions where this occurs, the strongest action is
taken.'
The officer in the latest incident to come to light was employed by a unit
maintaining watch lists.
He is understood to have worked at the Agency's headquarters at Lunar House in
Croydon, South London.
His wife visited family in Pakistan but when she tried to return to Britain she
was not allowed onto the aircraft. Airline and immigration officials refused to
explain to her why.
She was forced to remain in Pakistan for three years until her husband's
manipulation of the suspect list came to light.
He is understood to have applied for a promotion that would have meant a higher
level of security clearance.
During the vetting process the name of his wife was discovered on the suspect
list, to the surprise of security staff.
When questioned, the officer confessed to his alteration of the lists and was
sacked.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1351937/Immigration-officer-fired-putting-wife-list-terrorists-stop-flying-home.html#ixzz1DNaVbrsH
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